President Donald Trump bristled at questions Sunday night when confronted over his administration’s plan to send $40 billion in financial support to Argentina — even as American farmers face mounting economic pressure at home.
“Argentina’s fighting for its life, young lady, you don’t know anything about it,” Trump snapped at a reporter aboard Air Force One. “They’re fighting for their life. Nothing’s benefiting Argentina.”
“They have no money, they have no anything,” Trump continued. “They’re fighting so hard to survive. If I can help them survive in a free world — I happen to like the president of Argentina, I think he’s trying to do the best he can. But don’t make it sound like they’re doing great.”
Trump’s remarks come as his administration pushes forward with efforts to secure $40 billion in total financial assistance for Argentina, aimed at propping up the libertarian government of President Javier Milei as the country battles economic collapse.
So far, the U.S. has already locked in a $20 billion currency swap line with Argentina’s central bank. That deal was designed to help stabilize Argentina’s currency and prevent a deeper crash.
Now, the Treasury Department is looking to tack on another $20 billion — a mix of financing from private banks and sovereign wealth funds, aimed at easing the country’s massive debt burden.
“We are working on a $20 billion facility that would complement our swap line, with private banks and sovereign funds that, I believe, would be more focused on the debt market,” Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said last week.
“Many banks are interested in it and many sovereign funds have expressed interest,” he added.
But the plan isn’t sitting well with everyone — especially not back in farm country.
With U.S. farmers facing high interest rates, rising fuel costs, and weak commodity prices, some conservatives are questioning why Trump is pouring tens of billions into South America while rural America scrapes by.
Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.) didn’t mince words. She blasted the Trump administration’s approach, saying American taxpayers shouldn’t be on the hook to rescue a foreign government while U.S. agriculture suffers.
The backlash speaks to a growing divide on the right: foreign intervention versus America-first economics. For Trump, though, the answer seems personal.
“I happen to like the president of Argentina,” he said — a line that may not sit well with voters wondering if the same level of urgency is being shown to people struggling in Iowa or Georgia.
Watch the clip below:
Q: What do you have to say to farmers who feel that the deal is benefitting Argentina more than it is them?
TRUMP: Look, Argentina is fighting for its life, young lady. You don't know anything about it. You understand what that means? They are dying pic.twitter.com/1DMyaHtcTR
— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) October 20, 2025
