"We could take them away," Trump said before stating, "I love the people of Boston and I know the games are sold out. But your mayor is not good." Although he gave no specifics, he asserted that "they're taking over parts of Boston," adding a promise that "we could get them back in about two seconds."

The Trump administration has already deployed National Guard troops to both Memphis and Washington, and legal disputes have arisen from efforts to deploy them in Portland, Oregon, and Chicago. Wu's office did not directly address the president's threat; instead, they released a statement: "Boston is honored and excited to host World Cup matches, and we look forward to welcoming fans from around the world to our beautiful city, the cradle of liberty and city of champions."

Trump also threatened to move the Olympics from Los Angeles over similar concerns.

"If I thought LA was not going to be prepared properly, I would move it to another location if I had to," he said. "On that one I'd probably have to get a different kind of a permission, but we would do that," Trump said on the 2028 Games, although such a decision ultimatley rests with the International Olympic Committee.

Trump's statement was made during his meeting with Argentina President Javier Milei, and the exact meaning of his reference to parts of Boston being seized was initially unclear. The statement follows several arrests and injuries to four police officers during a violent pro-Palestinian protest on Boston Common earlier this month, according to the AP.

Trump previously suggested he might declare cities "not safe" for the 104-game soccer tournament and alter a detailed hosting arrangement that FIFA confirmed back in 2022. This plan includes holding matches at NFL stadiums located near New York, Los Angeles, and San Francisco, the AP said.

The authority to select World Cup host sites does not belong to Trump. FIFA has contracts with the 11 US cities – in addition to three in Mexico and two in Canada – and the organization would face substantial legal and logistical challenges to implement changes only eight months before the June 11 kickoff. FIFA's vice president Victor Montagliani said earlier this month at a sports business conference in London, "It's FIFA's tournament, FIFA's jurisdiction, FIFA makes those decisions," AP reported. Nonetheless, Trump asserted, "If somebody is doing a bad job, and if I feel there's unsafe conditions, I would call Gianni – the head of FIFA who's phenomenal – and I would say, 'Let's move into another location' and they would do that." The president was referring to FIFA head Gianni Infantino, who is a close ally. Trump indicated that Infantino "wouldn't love to do it, but he'd do it very easily," the AP concluded.

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Javier Milei é retirado às pressas de uma carreata da campanha eleitoral após ser alvo de pedras e garrafas atiradas pela população. pic.twitter.com/Ty8auucvSf

— Eixo Político (@eixopolitico) August 27, 2025

 The confrontation unfolded in Lomas de Zamora, south of Buenos Aires – a historic bastion of the Peronist movement representing the primary opposition to Milei. The president was standing in an open pickup vehicle alongside his sister, Karina, and his chief of staff, as crowds started hurling rocks, bottles, and assorted items toward them. At the same time, clashes erupted between his backers and detractors, with cries of "Out Milei" audible throughout.

At the very least, one rock struck the truck's hood, as additional projectiles passed over Milei and the security staff members. The president had to rapidly crouch inside the truck, and the driver sped up, attempting to flee – interrupting the scheduled campaign gathering. During the turmoil, Congressman José Luis Espert was observed escaping on a motorcycle without wearing a helmet.

Trading blame

Presidential spokesman Manuel Adorni blamed backers of former president Cristina Kirchner for the assault, labeling the protesters "militants from outdated politics" displaying "a primitive violence pattern from bygone eras." Security Minister Patricia Bullrich alleged Kirchner's faction "coordinated an assault on the president while jeopardizing the citizens and households who arrived to support him."

Kirchner, found guilty of corruption in June and currently under home confinement, remains regarded as the most powerful figure within the anti-Milei opposition, even though she has been excluded from political activities.

Assault emerges during corruption claims

The accusations risk implicating the president's closest associates. In an audio leak from the previous week, the director of the disability support agency is allegedly heard detailing a kickback scheme that allegedly benefits Milei's sister, Karina, and her consultant. The supposed scheme made the agency's service provision contingent upon payments to a drug firm, which channeled portions of earnings to Milei's family members.

Following this, Diego Spangouolo was dismissed, the agency director and Milei's former attorney, who was allegedly recorded alerting the president to the kickback operation emerging within his administration.

Milei, who managed to drastically lower inflation levels, is gearing up for legislative midterm votes coming in October. He aims to bolster his strength in both parliamentary chambers in what is viewed as the initial ballot box challenge of his transformative administration.

The present controversy may especially harm the president, who gained office riding widespread outrage over graft within Argentina's political class, combined with difficult sentiments from segments of citizens affected by his stringent fiscal policies.

Milei posted subsequently, including an image of the rock aimed at him: "Civilization or barbarism, never again Kirchnerism. The end."

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The previous evening, Milei posted on X regarding the Yemen missile launch that sent millions to shelters, stating "I strongly recommend that when you react to what happens in Israel, remember what it's like to live in this situation. I witnessed this from the hotel where I'm staying in Jerusalem."

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu met today, at the Prime Minister's Office in Jerusalem, with Argentine President Javier Milei.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to @JMilei: "Javier, you are a real friend of Israel!" pic.twitter.com/6itXnhyetf

— Prime Minister of Israel (@IsraeliPM) June 10, 2025

Prior to the cancellation, Milei had met with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and President Isaac Herzog. Herzog presented him with a replica of an ancient silver amulet discovered in the Ben Hinnom Valley, bearing the inscription "May the Lord bless you and keep you."

ÚLTIMO MOMENTO
Sugiero de modo muy enfático que al momento de opinar sobre que pasa en ISRAEL tengan presente lo que es vivir bajo esta situación... Esto acabo de ver desde el hotel en el que estoy hospedado en Jerusalén.

Cc: @Isaac_Herzog @netanyahu pic.twitter.com/NlCyNVCD4U

— Javier Milei (@JMilei) June 10, 2025

Should his visit proceed according to schedule, Milei will travel to Tel Aviv to inaugurate a park near the Sarona Complex. His itinerary also includes meetings with prominent rabbis, including Rabbi Dovid Abuchatzeira, and speaking with Argentine citizens who survived Hamas captivity. He is also scheduled to meet with the Cunio and Horn families, whose sons remain in Hamas captivity.

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The Buenos Aires city council announced on Sunday its intention to rename Palestine Street, one of the city's oldest thoroughfares, to Bibas Family Street.

The decision came through a personal initiative by President Javier Milei after learning of the murder of Shiri Bibas and her two young children, Ariel and Kfir, in Hamas captivity. "This is a symbolic step expressing Argentina's clear moral stance," Milei said in an official statement from the presidential office.

The street renaming represents one of the highlights in a series of measures taken by the Argentine government in support of Israel since the October 7 terror attack. Immediately upon learning of the murder of the Bibas family members, President Milei declared two days of national mourning, an unprecedented step demonstrating the nation's deep solidarity with the tragedy.

El presidente Javiel Milei sobre la familia Bibas en su discurso en el CPAC de Washington D.C.:

Hamas realizó un ataque "cobarde" el 7 de octubre. También calificó de "inescrupuloso y sanguinario" lo que hicieron con una madre y sus dos pequeños hijos y fue "canallesco" exhibir… pic.twitter.com/uuhtWQwbiW

— Agencia AJN (@AgenciaAJN) February 22, 2025

 In his recent speech at CPAC in Washington, Milei addressed Hamas' actions with exceptional severity. He described the October 7 attack as a "cowardly act" and defined the murder of the mother and her two children as an "immoral and shocking act." The Argentine president also harshly condemned the "barbaric act" of displaying coffins before a crowd with no respect for the deceased.

As part of the expressions of solidarity, numerous public buildings across Argentina were illuminated in orange, including the famous Obelisk in Buenos Aires. This gesture joined similar demonstrations worldwide, including the illumination of the Christ statue in Rio de Janeiro, the Transamerica Pyramid in San Francisco, and foreign ministry buildings in various countries.

Hier soir, la ville de Buenos Aires a honoré la mémoire de la famille Bibas en projetant les photos de Shiri, Kfir et Ariel sur l'emblématique Obélisque, et en illuminant les structures publiques en orange.

¡ Muchas gracias Argentina ! pic.twitter.com/v19bRmn6CP

— Jérémy Benhaïm (@JeremBenhaim) February 21, 2025

 President Milei sent his personal condolences to Yarden Bibas, the family's father, who was recently released from Hamas captivity after 484 days. The official statement from the presidential office read: "It is monstrous that these events occurred in this century and that their deaths stemmed from one motive: being Jewish."

The decision to rename the street joins a series of diplomatic and practical steps taken by Argentina in support of Israel, with Milei becoming one of the world's most prominent leaders in his unequivocal support for the State of Israel and its fight against terrorism.

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At the time of this speech, Argentina was grappling with monthly inflation of 12.8% (a 211% annual rate). The government was printing money at a frenzied pace, resulting in a budget deficit of billions and a massive trade imbalance that created a foreign currency crisis. Poverty engulfed 42% of the population, the real exchange rate of the Argentine peso against the dollar was at a record low, and the economy was sliding into recession.

Since entering the "Pink House," as Argentina's presidential residence is known, Milei has taken drastic steps: firing 30,000 public sector workers, closing 13 government ministries, cutting 13% of government expenditures, reducing taxes on foreign investments, eliminating funding for anti-poverty organizations, and privatizing state-owned enterprises. Unsurprisingly, these measures caused poverty rates to soar from 42% to 53% within six months. Pensions took a hit, median wages fell, and Argentina's economy contracted for three consecutive quarters.

This week, however, bore fruit. In the last quarter, Argentina recorded its first positive economic growth in years—3.9%. Inflation has also dropped steadily and impressively to just 2.4% monthly. While still alarming by Israeli standards, this marks an unprecedented low for Argentina in four years. Moreover, Milei managed to balance the national budget for the first time in 15 years and executed a significant currency devaluation, nearly closing the gap between the official and black-market exchange rates—crucial for curbing dollar flight from the country.

Meanwhile, the markets are responding positively. The International Monetary Fund (IMF) projects 5% growth for Argentina next year. Foreign investments are flowing in, boosting the local stock exchange, and the country's risk premium has dropped significantly. Real wages are on the rise, recently closing the gap that opened when Milei assumed office. Updated poverty rates will only be released in a few months, providing a clearer picture of whether the macroeconomic improvements are translating into real benefits for the average citizen.

It's the housing market, stupid

It's important to note that economic growth figures include government expenditures. For instance, during the recent conflict, Israel's economy contracted only slightly due to an 88% increase in public spending on the military and aid to the north and south. Naturally, Milei's sharp cuts in government spending initially dragged down Argentina's growth metrics. However, the positive growth reported in the last quarter is promising because it stems primarily from increased private consumption and capital investments.

Economic reporting often overlooks these nuances, treating growth data simplistically without analyzing its components. This oversight was highlighted by American economist Robert Solow in the 1960s, when he debunked doomsday predictions that the Soviet Union's economy was outpacing the US by pointing to the superficial nature of such growth comparisons.

In Israel, too, since the onset of the war, reports have focused on declining investments without delving into their specific origins. This discourse, often driven by political convenience, tends to tie investment declines to the tech sector or government policies. But a closer look at the data reveals the central issue lies elsewhere—residential real estate.

Yes, headlines noted that the economy has lost around 60 billion shekels in investments since the war began. However, the fine print reveals that most of this sum comes from a decline in the housing market, particularly residential real estate. When we discuss "investments in the economy," we often refer to structures, which might not align with the public's mental image.

For example, in 2023, total fixed asset investments in Israel amounted to 459 billion shekels, more than half of which was allocated to buildings. This total was split roughly equally between residential and commercial properties. Most of the drop in construction investments since the war—about 30%—has occurred in the housing sector.

This decline is not due to an ideological boycott by housing developers but rather the acute labor shortage in the construction industry. Since October 7, the sector has been grappling with a persistent lack of tens of thousands of workers, exacerbated by the government's failure to provide alternatives to Palestinian laborers. This paralysis has stalled numerous projects, a cost all Israelis will bear for years to come.

While politicians endlessly discuss "growth engines," actionable decisions capable of injecting tens of billions of shekels into the economy are waiting beneath their noses. The term "growth engines" has become a cliché, often misused to justify wasteful or highly sectoral budgets.

It's too early to draw definitive conclusions about the political alien Javier Milei's economic experiment. But there is one lesson Israeli politicians could learn from him: rather than promising a rose garden, be honest with your voters. Prepare them to endure hardship by clearly explaining how it will benefit them in the long run. This requires a standard of transparency and a deeper understanding of growth components—practices uncommon in Israel but undeniably rewarding.

Indeed, throughout the past year, even as poverty rates surged, Milei maintained stable public support of 46–48%. In recent months, as successes began to materialize, his popularity has soared to 54%.

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In an unprecedented diplomatic gesture that underscores growing ties between Argentina and Judaism, President Javier Milei orchestrated a historic swearing-in ceremony for his new Foreign Minister Gerardo Wertheim using a Torah scroll, while delivering an unexpected biblical commentary about Abraham's divine mission.

The extraordinary ceremony, which took place at the Argentine Parliament, marked a significant departure from traditional state protocols. The event gained particular attention following Milei's decision to replace former minister Diana Mondino, who had voted to support lifting US economic sanctions against Cuba.

"Today, we've departed from conventional format by conducting the oath on the Torah, making it particularly fitting to discuss this week's portion, Lech Lecha," Milei told the assembled dignitaries. "It's fascinating to consider what this portion teaches us, what messages are being sent to you from above, Gerardo."

The president, who has previously declared his deep affinity for Israel with statements such as "I want to be like Israel" and "I stand with Israel in the war against forces of darkness," drew parallels between the biblical narrative and contemporary diplomacy. "The portion speaks about Abraham's journeys throughout the world, as he decides to spread the Creator's messages. The Almighty tells Abraham that his role is to influence the nations of the world and places upon him the important responsibility of conveying Torah's messages of life and liberty to the entire world," he explained.

The President of Argentina, Javier Millay, quoted this week's Torah section (parasha) at the swearing-in ceremony of the new foreign minister, Gerardo Werthein. pic.twitter.com/MxHVtugcm3

— Raylan Givens (@JewishWarrior13) November 5, 2024

 The ceremonial oath itself carried profound significance. "Mr. Gerardo Wertheim, do you swear by God and the homeland and on the Torah to faithfully and devotedly fulfill the role of Minister of Foreign Affairs, International Trade, and Religion?" Milei asked, adding after Wertheim's affirmation, "If you do not do this, God and the nation will demand it of you."

Since assuming the presidency, Milei has demonstrated an unprecedented embrace of Jewish traditions and support for Israel. He maintains regular consultations with a rabbi, studies biblical texts, and has established himself as a strong advocate of the Chabad movement. His first international visit as president was to Israel, where he demonstrated emotional solidarity at the Western Wall, announced plans to relocate Argentina's embassy to Jerusalem, and repeatedly affirmed his commitment to Israel's security.

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Argentina's Jewish community commemorated Thursday the 30th anniversary of a targeted bombing which killed 85 people, with President Javier Milei promising to right decades of inaction and inconsistencies in the investigations into the attack.

In 1994, a bomb-filled van hit the Argentine Israelite Mutual Association (AMIA) Jewish community center in Buenos Aires, becoming the deadliest such incident in the nation's history.

Video: Argentina to promote law to try Iranian leaders blamed for 1994 bombing at Jewish center/Credit: Reuters

"Today we chose to speak out, not stay silent," Milei said in an address on Wednesday evening. "We're raising our voice, not folding our arms. We choose life, because anything else is making a game out of death."

In April, Argentina's top criminal court blamed Iran for the attack, saying it was carried out by Hezbollah militants responding to "a political and strategic design" by Iran.

Tehran has denied involvement and refused to turn over suspects, and previous investigations and Interpol arrest warrants have led nowhere.

Milei – a staunch proponent of both the Jewish community and of Israel – said on Wednesday he would propose a bill which would allow for the trial of the suspects in the attack in absentia.

He also said that his government would beef up the national intelligence system to prevent similar attacks from occurring again, while dedicating further resources into investigating the AMIA incident.

Argentine prosecutors have charged top Iranian officials and members of Iran-backed Lebanese armed group Hezbollah with ordering the bombing, as well as an attack in 1992 against the Israeli embassy in Argentina, which killed 22 people.

"Although they may never be able to serve a sentence, they will not be able to escape the eternal condemnation of a court proving their guilt in front of the whole world," Milei said.

The president called the April decision an "enormous step" in seeking justice in the AMIA case, he said that there was much more to go due to the "cover up by the terrorist state of Iran."

Last week, Milei declared Iran-backed militant Islamist group Hamas a terrorist organization for its Oct. 7 attack on Israel.

The president on Wednesday compared the attack on Israel with the 1994 bombing in Buenos Aires and demanded that Hamas release all of the hostages it had claimed, including eight Argentines.

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