Populist Javier Milei is rallying for the Argentine presidency with chainsaws and Comic-Con costumes

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This isn’t Carnival or ComicCon, but rather the outlandish campaign rally for Argentine presidential candidate Javier Milei. In just a few years, the rightwing populist Milei went from being a television talking head who garnered high ratings with his unrestrained outbursts against a “political caste” he blamed for Argentina’s perennial economic woes to a frontrunner for the presidency. (Nov. 16)

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Presidential hopeful Javier Milei waves to supporters as he campaigns in Buenos Aires, Argentina, Monday, Nov. 6, 2023. Milei has gone from being a television talking head that garnered high ratings with his unrestrained outbursts against the “political caste” that he blamed for Argentina’s perennial economic woes to a frontrunner for the presidency. A presidential runoff election is set for Nov. 19. (AP Photo/Rodrigo Abd)

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Milagros Gras, right, and her twin sister Guadalupe, pose for a portrait during a campaign rally for presidential hopeful Javier Milei in Buenos Aires, Argentina, Friday, Sept. 22, 2023. Milei has gone from being a television talking head that garnered high ratings with his unrestrained outbursts against the “political caste” that he blamed for Argentina’s perennial economic woes to a frontrunner for the presidency. A presidential runoff election is set for Nov. 19. (AP Photo/Rodrigo Abd)

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Agustin Salem holds an oversized US dollar bill with the face of presidential hopeful Javier Milei at a campaign rally in Buenos Aires, Argentina, Monday, Sept. 25, 2023. Milei has gone from being a television talking head that garnered high ratings with his unrestrained outbursts against the “political caste” that he blamed for Argentina’s perennial economic woes to a frontrunner for the presidency. A presidential runoff election is set for Nov. 19. (AP Photo/Rodrigo Abd)

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Juliana Bagna and Juan Perez kiss outside the campaign headquarters of candidate Javier Milei after polls closed for general elections in Buenos Aires, Argentina, Sunday, Oct. 22, 2023. Milei has gone from being a television talking head that garnered high ratings with his unrestrained outbursts against the “political caste” that he blamed for Argentina’s perennial economic woes to a frontrunner for the presidency. A presidential runoff election is set for Nov. 19. (AP Photo/Rodrigo Abd)

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Fernanda Benite and Alberto Vallejo pose for photos with their daughter Enzo Vallejo as they attend a campaign rally for presidential hopeful Javier Milei in Buenos Aires, Argentina, Monday, Sept. 25, 2023. Milei has gone from being a television talking head that garnered high ratings with his unrestrained outbursts against the “political caste” that he blamed for Argentina’s perennial economic woes to a frontrunner for the presidency.A presidential runoff election is set for Nov. 19. (AP Photo/Rodrigo Abd)

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A supporter of presidential hopeful Javier Milei chants anti- government slogans during a campaign rally in Buenos Aires, Argentina, Saturday, Nov.4, 2023. Milei has gone from being a television talking head that garnered high ratings with his unrestrained outbursts against the “political caste” that he blamed for Argentina’s perennial economic woes to a frontrunner for the presidency. A presidential runoff election is set for Nov. 19. (AP Photo/Rodrigo Abd)

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Supporters of presidential hopeful Javier Milei wear chainsaw costumes outside his campaign headquarters after polls closed for general elections in Buenos Aires, Argentina, Sunday, Oct. 22, 2023. The chainsaw is a prop that Milei often holds up at rallies to symbolize what he wants to do with state spending. A presidential runoff election is set for Nov. 19. (AP Photo/Rodrigo Abd)

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Camila Florencia Casas, a supporter of presidential hopeful Javier Milei, poses for a portrait outside Milei’s campaign headquarters after polls closed for general elections in Buenos Aires, Argentina, Sunday, Oct. 22, 2023. Milei has gone from being a television talking head that garnered high ratings with his unrestrained outbursts against the “political caste” that he blamed for Argentina’s perennial economic woes to a frontrunner for the presidency. A presidential runoff election is set for Nov. 19. (AP Photo/Rodrigo Abd)

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A supporter of presidential hopeful Javier Milei wears a Batman costume outside Milei’s campaign headquarters after polls closed for general elections in Buenos Aires, Argentina, Sunday, Oct. 22, 2023. Milei has gone from being a television talking head that garnered high ratings with his unrestrained outbursts against the “political caste” that he blamed for Argentina’s perennial economic woes to a frontrunner for the presidency. A presidential runoff election is set for Nov. 19. (AP Photo/Rodrigo Abd)

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A supporter of Javier Milei is dressed as a lion outside his campaign headquarters after polls closed for general elections in Buenos Aires, Argentina, Sunday, Oct. 22, 2023. The lion is a reference to how the candidate often compares himself to the king of the jungle. A presidential runoff election is set for Nov. 19. (AP Photo/Rodrigo Abd)

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A supporter of presidential hopeful Javier Milei wears a shirt that reads in Spanish “Stop the false complaints” outside his campaign headquarters after polls closed for general elections in Buenos Aires, Argentina, Sunday, Oct. 22, 2023. Milei has gone from being a television talking head that garnered high ratings with his unrestrained outbursts against the “political caste” that he blamed for Argentina’s perennial economic woes to a frontrunner for the presidency.A presidential runoff election is set for Nov. 19. (AP Photo/Rodrigo Abd)

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A supporter of presidential hopeful Javier Milei wears a Milei mask outside his campaign headquarters after polls closed for general elections in Buenos Aires, Argentina, Sunday, Oct. 22, 2023. Milei has gone from being a television talking head that garnered high ratings with his unrestrained outbursts against the “political caste” that he blamed for Argentina’s perennial economic woes to a frontrunner for the presidency. A presidential runoff election is set for Nov. 19. (AP Photo/Rodrigo Abd)

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Matilde Fernandez chants anti-government slogans outside the Casa Rosada presidential office during a rally in support of presidential hopeful Javier Milei in Buenos Aires, Argentina, Sunday, Nov. 5, 2023. Milei has gone from being a television talking head that garnered high ratings with his unrestrained outbursts against the “political caste” that he blamed for Argentina’s perennial economic woes to a frontrunner for the presidency. A presidential runoff election is set for Nov. 19. (AP Photo/Rodrigo Abd)

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Supporters of presidential hopeful Javier Milei wear costumes outside his campaign headquarters after polls closed for general elections in Buenos Aires, Argentina, Sunday, Oct. 22, 2023. Milei has gone from being a television talking head that garnered high ratings with his unrestrained outbursts against the “political caste” that he blamed for Argentina’s perennial economic woes to a frontrunner for the presidency.A presidential runoff election is set for Nov. 19. (AP Photo/Rodrigo Abd)

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A man clims a tree to get a better view of presidential hopeful Javier Milei at his rally in Buenos Aires, Argentina, Monday, Sept. 25, 2023.Milei has gone from being a television talking head that garnered high ratings with his unrestrained outbursts against the “political caste” that he blamed for Argentina’s perennial economic woes to a frontrunner for the presidency. A presidential runoff election is set for Nov. 19. (AP Photo/Rodrigo Abd)

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Micaela Gonzalez, a supporter of presidential hopeful Javier Milei, smiles for a photo outside his campaign headquarters after polls closed for general elections in Buenos Aires, Argentina, Sunday, Oct. 22, 2023. Milei has gone from being a television talking head that garnered high ratings with his unrestrained outbursts against the “political caste” that he blamed for Argentina’s perennial economic woes to a frontrunner for the presidency. A presidential runoff election is set for Nov. 19. (AP Photo/Rodrigo Abd)

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Supporters of presidential hopeful Javier Milei leave his campaign headquarters after polls closed for general elections in Buenos Aires, Argentina, Sunday, Oct. 22, 2023. Milei has gone from being a television talking head that garnered high ratings with his unrestrained outbursts against the “political caste” that he blamed for Argentina’s perennial economic woes to a frontrunner for the presidency. A presidential runoff election is set for Nov. 19. (AP Photo/Rodrigo Abd)

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Supporters of presidential hopeful Javier Milei eat pizza as they throw a party at a campaign center days after elections in Buenos Aires, Argentina, Wednesday, Oct. 25, 2023. Milei has gone from being a television talking head that garnered high ratings with his unrestrained outbursts against the “political caste” that he blamed for Argentina’s perennial economic woes to a frontrunner for the presidency. A presidential runoff election is set for Nov. 19. (AP Photo/Rodrigo Abd)

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Dilan Galeano embraces his girlfriend Antonela Gonzalez, both supporters of presidential candidate Javier Milei at a party at a campaign center days after elections in Buenos Aires, Argentina, Wednesday, Oct. 25, 2023. Milei has gone from being a television talking head that garnered high ratings with his unrestrained outbursts against the “political caste” that he blamed for Argentina’s perennial economic woes to a frontrunner for the presidency. A presidential runoff election is set for Nov. 19. (AP Photo/Rodrigo Abd)

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Supporters of presidential hopeful Javier Milei sing songs during a party at a campaign center in Buenos Aires, Argentina, Wednesday, Oct. 25, 2023. Milei has gone from being a television talking head that garnered high ratings with his unrestrained outbursts against the “political caste” that he blamed for Argentina’s perennial economic woes to a frontrunner for the presidency. A presidential runoff election is set for Nov. 19. (AP Photo/Rodrigo Abd)

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A supporter of presidential hopeful Javier Milei holds a sculpture of a fetus to show their anti-abortion position during a campaign rally in Buenos Aires, Argentina, Saturday, Nov. 4, 2023. Milei has gone from being a television talking head that garnered high ratings with his unrestrained outbursts against the “political caste” that he blamed for Argentina’s perennial economic woes to a frontrunner for the presidency. A presidential runoff election is set for Nov. 19. (AP Photo/Rodrigo Abd)

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Fernando de los Rios carries his dog Luti in a backpack as he attends a rally supporting presidential hopeful Javier Milei in Buenos Aires, Argentina, Sunday, Nov. 5, 2023. Milei has gone from being a television talking head that garnered high ratings with his unrestrained outbursts against the “political caste” that he blamed for Argentina’s perennial economic woes to a frontrunner for the presidency. A presidential runoff election is set for Nov. 19. (AP Photo/Rodrigo Abd)

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Supporters of presidential hopeful Javier Milei wait for him to arrive for a campaign rally in Buenos Aires, Argentina, Sunday, Nov.4, 2023. Milei has gone from being a television talking head that garnered high ratings with his unrestrained outbursts against the “political caste” that he blamed for Argentina’s perennial economic woes to a frontrunner for the presidency. A presidential runoff election is set for Nov. 19. (AP Photo/Rodrigo Abd)

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A supporter of presidential candidate Javier Milei stands outside the Casa Rosada presidential office during a rally supporting Milei’s candidacy in Buenos Aires, Argentina, Sunday, Nov. 5, 2023. Milei has gone from being a television talking head that garnered high ratings with his unrestrained outbursts against the “political caste” that he blamed for Argentina’s perennial economic woes to a frontrunner for the presidency. A presidential runoff election is set for Nov. 19. (AP Photo/Rodrigo Abd)

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A supporter of presidential hopeful Javier Milei wearing a Zorro costume attends a campaign rally in Buenos Aires, Argentina, Sunday, Nov. 5, 2023. Milei has gone from being a television talking head that garnered high ratings with his unrestrained outbursts against the “political caste” that he blamed for Argentina’s perennial economic woes to a frontrunner for the presidency.A presidential runoff election is set for Nov. 19. (AP Photo/Rodrigo Abd)

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Supporters of presidential candidate Javier Milei wait for him to arrive for a campaign rally in Buenos Aires, Argentina, Sunday, Nov.4, 2023. Milei has gone from being a television talking head that garnered high ratings with his unrestrained outbursts against the “political caste” that he blamed for Argentina’s perennial economic woes to a frontrunner for the presidency. A presidential runoff election is set for Nov. 19. (AP Photo/Rodrigo Abd)

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A supporter of presidential candidate Javier Milei wears a lion costume during a campaign rally in Buenos Aires, Argentina, Saturday Nov.6, 2023. The lion is a reference to how the candidate often compares himself to the king of the jungle. A presidential runoff election is set for Nov. 19. (AP Photo/Rodrigo Abd)

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Supporters of presidential hopeful Javier Milei gather for a campaign rally in Buenos Aires, Argentina, Saturday Nov.11, 2023. Milei has gone from being a television talking head that garnered high ratings with his unrestrained outbursts against the “political caste” that he blamed for Argentina’s perennial economic woes to a frontrunner for the presidency.A presidential runoff election is set for Nov. 19. (AP Photo/Rodrigo Abd)

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Supporters of presidential hopeful Javier Milei attend a campaign rally in Buenos Aires, Argentina, Saturday Nov.6, 2023. Milei has gone from being a television talking head that garnered high ratings with his unrestrained outbursts against the “political caste” that he blamed for Argentina’s perennial economic woes to a frontrunner for the presidency. (AP Photo/Rodrigo Abd)

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Supporters of presidential hopeful Javier Milei rest during a campaign rally in Buenos Aires, Argentina, Saturday Nov. 6, 2023. Milei has gone from being a television talking head that garnered high ratings with his unrestrained outbursts against the “political caste” that he blamed for Argentina’s perennial economic woes to a frontrunner for the presidency. A presidential runoff election is set for Nov. 19. (AP Photo/Rodrigo Abd)

By DANIEL POLITI and RODRIGO ABD

BUENOS AIRES, Argentina (AP) — Batman and the Joker, a man decked out in a full-body lion costume, and another whose head and arms have been replaced by chainsaws. This isn’t Carnival or Comic-Con, but rather the outlandish campaign rally for Argentine presidential candidate Javier Milei.

In just a few short years, the right-wing populist Milei went from being a television talking head who garnered high ratings with his unrestrained outbursts against a “political caste” he blamed for Argentina’s perennial economic woes to a frontrunner for the presidency. He even dabbled in cosplay, dressing up as “General AnCap,” short for anarcho-capitalist, at a 2019 event.

Just as his candidacy started as a made-for-television spectacle, his followers picked up the baton and have often turned rallies into opportunities to show their devotion to their candidate using props that go viral on social media.

Shortly after he first appeared on television, the self-described libertarian grew a cult-like following among those drawn to his no-nonsense style. His appeal seems to lie in his ability to channel anger that Argentines feel against the ruling class amid red-hot triple-digit inflation and rising poverty.

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Once seen as a sideshow in Argentine politics, Milei managed to parlay his success as a talking head into a seat in the Chamber of Deputies, Argentina’s lower house of Congress, in 2021. He then launched what looked like a long-shot presidential bid, but rocked Argentina’s political establishment when he received the most votes in the country’s August primaries, a national contest seen as a massive poll of voter preferences.

Milei was predicted to have an edge for the October vote, but finished second, with 30% of the vote, almost seven points below Economy Minister Sergio Massa.

Milei and Massa are facing off in the Nov. 19 runoff, and pre-election polls show a virtual tie with a large number of undecideds who will be key in deciding the race.

Often called Argentina’s Donald Trump, Milei espouses a mixture of love for the ideals of capitalism with socially conservative policies, including an opposition to abortion, which Argentina legalized in 2020.

Many of his followers have embraced the Trump comparison. “Make Argentina Great Again” hats and T-shirts are a common sight at his events, a reference to Trump’s slogan, “Make America Great Again.” That’s hardly the only U.S.-inspired reference.

The yellow Gadsen flag with a rattlesnake and the words “don’t tread on me” is a historical U.S. symbol often associated with the libertarian right, which Milei and his supporters have adopted.

Some followers also use props to mimic the chainsaw that Milei has often held up at rallies to symbolize what he wants to do with state spending.

“I didn’t get involved politically at all in the past,” said Martín Argañaraz, a 47-year-old artisan, who carried a chainsaw made out of cardboard at a recent Milei rally in Buenos Aires. “What brought me here is seeing how politicians are getting richer and richer.”

Some of Milei’s loyalists dress up as him, while others don lion masks, because the candidate often compares himself to the king of the jungle.

Wherever Milei goes, a small army of entrepreneurial street hawkers follow, selling merchandise inspired by the economist whose followers have lovingly nicknamed him “the wig,” a reference to his signature unkempt hair.

Polls show that the word Argentines – both his supporters and opponents -- most often associate with Milei is “crazy.”

Sebastián Borrego, 51, and his 12-year-old son traveled 21 miles from their hometown to attend a Milei rally in the capital last month. In a show of support, Borrego wore a homemade lion mask.

“We need a leader who can take us to a new way of life that we Argentinians need,” Borrego roared. “The fight is just getting started.” ____

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