DAVOS, SWITZERLAND — In a fiery speech at the World Economic Forum on Thursday, Argentinian President Javier Milei launched a searing critique of woke ideology, calling it a “mental virus” that threatens to unravel the values underpinning Western civilization.

Milei credited the fundamental principles of the West—respect for life, liberty, free speech, and freedom of religion—for enabling humanity’s greatest advancements, including lifting billions out of poverty during the Industrial Revolution. Yet, he warned, these achievements are at risk of being undone by what he described as a “cancer” that has infiltrated global institutions.

“This is the great epidemic of our time that must be cured,” Milei declared. “This ideology has colonized the world’s most important institutions—political parties, governments, global organizations, NGOs, universities, and media outlets. If we fail to break free from these ideological chains, humanity will lose its pioneering spirit, and progress will grind to a halt.”

A Stinging Critique of Gender Ideology

Milei didn’t shy away from controversial topics, specifically targeting gender ideology and its impact on society. He criticized leaders for promoting policies that he says defy biological realities and undermine societal stability.

“Some are attempting to impose the idea that women are men and men are women based purely on self-perception,” he said. “They ignore the consequences, like when a man identifies as a woman and competes in female sports, causing physical harm, or when male prisoners identify as female and assault women in prison.”

He highlighted a recent case in Georgia, where a same-sex couple was jailed for abusing and trafficking their adopted sons. Citing this as an extreme example, Milei called gender ideology a form of “child abuse” in its most radical forms.

“Let me be clear: This is not just misguided; it is criminal. These acts will be condemned in history alongside other atrocities committed in the name of ideology,” he said.

Defending Children Against Transgenderism

Milei spoke emotionally about the dangers of transgenderism, especially for children, drawing on support from tech billionaire Elon Musk, whom he described as a close ally.

“Children are being irreversibly harmed through hormone treatments and surgeries, as if a 5-year-old could possibly consent to such life-altering decisions,” Milei argued. “If parents object, state agents are stepping in, claiming to act in the child’s best interests. This is insanity.”

He referenced Musk’s own heartbreak over his biological son’s transition, which led the Tesla CEO to say his child had been figuratively “killed” by the “woke mind virus.”

Milei added, “We are beginning to see the tragic effects on an entire generation who have mutilated their bodies under the influence of a culture that celebrates sexual relativism. Many of these individuals will spend their lives in psychiatric care, grappling with irreversible decisions made during their youth.”

A Libertarian Vision for Argentina and Beyond

Since taking office in 2023, Milei has stabilized Argentina’s chaotic economy, garnering praise even from skeptics. He envisions a “new Argentina,” but his optimism stops at the country’s borders. Milei expressed deep concern over the global trajectory if wokeism continues unchecked.

“Believe me, the scandalous experiments conducted in the name of this criminal ideology will one day be condemned as some of the darkest moments in human history,” he said.

Milei closed his speech with his signature phrase, “Thank you all very much, and long live freedom, damn it.”

His words electrified the audience, dividing opinions between supporters who hailed his bold stance and critics who called his rhetoric incendiary.