President Javier Milei’s whirlwind three-day trip to Los Angeles in the United States last month cost around US$200,000, a public information request filed by Perfil has revealed.
Milei’s trip lasted May 5 to 7. Accompanied by a travelling delegation that included his sister, presidential chief-of-staff Karina Milei, the President delivered a speech at the Milken Institute's Global Conference in Beverly Hills, California, during which he claimed that Argentina can be “the new Mecca of the West.”
While in Los Angeles, Milei also met with investors and entrepreneurs, including Tesla and SpaceX billionaire Elon Musk, as well as other famous names, such as ex-Boca Juniors star Guillermo Barros Schelotto and FIFA President Gianni Infantino.
The trip was the first made by Milei following a recommendation by Security Minister Patricia Bullrich that he should use the presidential fleet’s planes for security reasons.
President Milei and his retinue stayed at the Beverly Hilton Hotel. The resort belongs to the famous Hilton hotel chain and is located in the distinguished town of Beverly Hills, where a number of Hollywood stars live.
The head of state’s stay cost 2,452,508 pesos, the equivalent of US$2,600 at the exchange rate as of June 14 for one night at a hotel. The cost of accommodating his staff was 3,246,655.12 pesos (US$3,521).
The public information request filed by Perfil requested the names of those who stayed with President Milei, but those details were not provided. “This agency does not have the power to provide the information related to the transported retinue,” was the government’s response to the request, citing security matters.
The highest costs were related to the expenses incurred for the operation of the presidential aircraft.
The use of the 757-256, licence ARG-01 of the Presidential Air Fleet, amounted to a total cost of US$197,791.62.
Adding hotel expenses, that produces a total cost to the public purse of US$203,912.
During his short visit, Milei also received a painting from artist Fabián Pérez portraying President Milei as Napoleon.
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