Buenos Aires Herald 
President Javier Milei used the election campaign to let his rock frontman ambitions run free, performing with his band on Monday night as part of a book launch. The event was his first campaign rally after the resignation of José Luis Espert as La Libertad Avanza’s main deputy candidate, amid a critical moment for the government.
Milei mentioned Espert only in passing and did not speak about the scandal that links the now former candidate to alleged drug trafficker Fred Machado. The only reference he made was a phrase addressing the opposition: “You may have won this round, but not the battle.” Diego Santilli, Milei’s pick to replace Espert on the ballot, attended the concert and the president stepped off the stage to hug him.
Milei sang popular Argentine songs with his musical group, The Liberal Band, at the Movistar Arena stadium in front of 15,000 supporters. After the show, he presented his new book, Building the Miracle.
The president euphorically performed iconic songs like Demoliendo Hoteles (Charly García), Dame Fuego (Sandro), and No Me Arrepiento de Este Amor (Gilda), all in rock version. In between songs, he took a moment to pay homage to U.S. far-right activist Charlie Kirk and ratify his support for Israel, singing the traditional Hebrew chant Hava Nagila.
Milei is a known rock enthusiast. He usually sings his favorite song, La Renga’s Panic Show, during rallies and events. In May 2024, he did a similar show with his band at the Luna Park stadium, also as part of a book launch.
Among the attendees also were several members of the government, including Presidency Secretary Karina Milei and Lower House Head Martín, who are accused of taking bribes from pharmaceutical companies in exchange for state contracts. This scandal, along with the Espert allegations, put the government in a very difficult spot amid a delicate economic situation and the upcoming elections.
Despite this situation, Milei showed himself in a frenetic state, singing along lawmaker and longtime friend Lilia Lemoine, who joined the band as backup singer.
During the performance, the screens also played a deep-fake Star Wars video of Milei as Luke Skywalker being attacked by The First Order, with ex-President Cristina Kirchner and Buenos Aires Province Governor Axel Kicillof as the antagonists.
Attendees sang chants mocking Kirchner using an ankle monitor during her house arrest. They also chanted Kuka tira piedras, which can be translated to “stone-throwing Kuka,” a derogatory term to refer to Kirchnerist supporters. Milei joined in to sing along and encourage them.
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