Argentinian President Javier Milei rallied against “the mental virus of woke ideology” during a fiery speech at the World Economic Forum in Davos on Thursday.  

Milei credited the fundamental values of Western civilization, like respect for life and liberty, free speech and freedom of religion, for enabling the Industrial Revolution that lifted “90% of the global population out of poverty.” He then slammed wokeism as the disease that will destroy everything dear to the West. 

“This is the great epidemic of our time that must be cured. This is the cancer we need to get rid of. This ideology has colonized the world’s most important institutions – from the political parties and governments of leading Western nations to global governance organizations, even NGOs, universities and media outlets,” said Milei, adding, “Western civilization – and even the human species – will not be able to return to the path of progress demanded by our pioneering spirit. It is essential to break these ideological chains if we want to usher in a new golden age.”

Calling Elon Musk a dear friend, Milei put up a furious defense of children against the dangers of transgenderism. 

“Healthy children are being irreversibly harmed through hormone treatments and mutilation, as if a 5-year-old child could possibly consent to such things, and should their family not agree to this, there will always be state agents ready to step in in favour of what they call the best interests of the child.”

Musk’s biological son transitioned into a girl a few years ago, which led the billionaire to remark that his child was figuratively “killed” by the “woke mind virus.”

Two trans people hold hands while marching under a trans pride flag in the New York City Pride Parade on June 26, 2022 in New York City. (Alexi Rosenfeld/Getty Images)

Milei added, “Only now are we beginning to see the effects of an entire generation that has mutilated their bodies, encouraged by a culture of sexual relativism, and these people will have to spend their entire lives in psychiatric treatment to cope with what they have done to themselves. Yet no one dares to speak about these issues. Not only that, but the vast majority have also been subjected to the misguided self-perceptions of a tiny minority.”

The libertarian Milei became president in 2023, and the chaotic economy of Argentina has stabilized under his leadership, according to The Associated Press. He was optimistic about his country’s future, calling it a “new Argentina,” but not so much about the state of the world unless wokeism is reversed.

“Believe me, the scandalous experiments in the name of this criminal ideology will be condemned and likened to those committed in the darkest periods in our history.”

Milei ended with his often said slogan, “Thank you all very much and long live freedom, damn it.”

The Associated Press contributed to this report.