A prestigious magazine claims that Donald Trump governs with the 'Milei manual'

In less than a month, the second term of U.S. President Donald Trump was marked by a flurry of executive orders aimed at reforming the structure of the federal government, a political strategy similar to that of his Argentine counterpart, Javier Milei.

In an article published this Sunday by the renowned conservative magazine The American Conservative, and signed by Joseph Addington, it is stated that the Republican magnate is implementing the "Milei manual".

In his first week as president, Trump signed multiple executive orders addressing a wide range of issues, from the redefinition of citizenship to changes in the architectural design of public buildings.

This approach aims to consolidate an administration that aligns with his ideology and reduce the influence of his political opponents in the governmental apparatus.

Both Trump and Milei focused their discourse on the criticism of political and economic elites, which are disconnected from the needs of the people.

The adjustment of public spending in the U.S.

One of the key pieces of this plan is the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), an entity created under the direction of tech magnate Elon Musk and a team of prominent "geniuses" from Silicon Valley.

This department intervened in the Department of Education, canceling million-dollar contracts and conducting a thorough analysis of subsidies to public schools, universities, and NGOs. Musk, leveraging his access to government payment platforms, led efforts to identify and eliminate programs deemed unnecessary.

Recently, the U.S. president suggested that the government efficiency team had discovered irregularities when analyzing data from the Treasury Department, hinting that this could lead to the country defaulting on some payments.

In this context, the government has also directed efforts toward specific agencies, such as the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). This entity, whose structure is not defined by law, is undergoing a drastic reorganization.

USAID has been harshly criticized over the years for functioning as a "fund for progressive causes abroad".

President Trump ordered the dismissal of about 9,700 of its 10,000 employees, although a federal judge has temporarily suspended this decision.

Meanwhile, Secretary of State Marco Rubio assumed interim leadership of the agency, and plans are being considered to incorporate it into the State Department, which would require Congressional approval.

On the other hand, Trump also implemented subtle but strategic adjustments in other areas of his administration. One of the most notable is a reform in university funding, with the reduction of indirect costs allowed by federal grants from the National Institutes of Health (NIH).

These changes aim to limit the funds that universities allocate to cover administrative and operational expenses. Chris Rufo, a collaborator in this initiative, stated to The Washington Post: "The entire department functions as a Ponzi scheme for leftist ideologies".

The similarity of Trump with Milei

These initiatives by Trump were compared to the political style of Argentine President Javier Milei, who has also used similar methods to cut public subsidies to organizations that support his opponents.

Milei implemented drastic and necessary measures, such as the elimination of nine ministries, the replacement of the tax agency with a new structure loyal to his government and of lower cost, the mass dismissal of "ñoquis", and the privatization of inefficient public companies, among others.

According to The Washington Post, "the similarities between Milei's and Trump's strategies indicate a shift toward a more accountable government and less dependent on an administrative state".

The implementation of these strategies, compared to the "Milei manual", reflects an attempt to dismantle what Trump and many people call the "deep state". Through this strategy, they seek to significantly reduce the resources allocated to leftist causes, both nationally and internationally.

Despite the clear differences between the political systems of Argentina and the United States, the essential operating principles are aligned.

Since taking office as President of Argentina, Milei has emerged as a key figure within the libertarian and conservative movements worldwide. His advocacy for a drastic reduction of the State and the promotion of the free market has caused support among sectors of the American right, including some close to Trump.

On multiple occasions, the Argentine president expressed his support for Trump, while the former U.S. president has publicly praised Milei's economic approach.