Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene of Georgia, a Republican and long-time supporter of President Donald Trump, has criticized the administration's plan to potentially double its bailout of Argentina's farming industry up to $40 billion.
By Peter Aitken and Dan Gooding
Greene, in recent weeks, has grown increasingly critical of the administration and the wider Republican party, particularly with policies focused on foreign aid and spending that do not align with "America First" priorities.
"Americans are getting decimated with high cost of living and skyrocketing insurance costs," Greene wrote on X. "Many of them have zero savings and some are maxing out credit cards to survive."
"Tell me how it’s America First to bailout a foreign country with $20 or even $40 BILLION taxpayer dollars," she added.
Why It Matters
For such a staunch supporter of President Donald Trump to openly criticize his policies is significant, but Greene has been clear over the years that she is "America First", something Trump has said he is, too, while also making bolder moves on the world stage.
Trump's $40B bailout for Argentina: What to Know
The Trump administration is looking to provide an additional $20 billion in financing for Argentina through a mix of financing from sovereign funds and the private sector, coming on top of the $20 billion credit swap line that the U.S. Treasury pledged to Argentine President Javier Milei and his government this month to bolster the South American nation's collapsing currency.
Sending the financial aid to the U.S.' South American ally has sparked criticism across the political spectrum, as the federal government shutdown rolls on and many Americans are voicing concerns about the cost of living. U.S. farmers have also voiced their anger at not receiving help with their own woes before another nation received aid.
At a White House meeting between the two leaders Tuesday, Trump warned that the money for Argentina was dependent on Milei staying in power, despite some analysts blaming his cutthroat economic policies and slashing of governmental "bloat" as the reasons for the struggles now faced by his citizens.
Greene's rebuke follows similar lines to those of her Democrat colleagues, such as Senator Patty Murray of Washington, in criticizing the bailout as Americans continue facing healthcare spending concerns.
"Now Trump is sending $40 BILLION to bailout Argentina," Murray wrote on X. "This would fund at LEAST a year of the ACA tax credits millions rely on to afford health care. Meanwhile, Argentina has universal health care."
Greene's shift has not just come on foreign policy. She has also been one of the few Republican voices to still call for the release of the Epstein files, after Trump's Department of Justice said there was no more information to be released.
The Georgia representative's calls for transparency have caused Democrats to cautiously embrace her as something of an ally, as they seek out information on the disgraced financier from a president and administration that promised it. Trump has reportedly been calling up some of her GOP colleagues to ask: "What is going on with Marjorie?" per NBC News.
What People Are Saying
Democratic Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, on X Wednesday: "Rather than fix the healthcare crisis devastating Americans here at home, Donald Trump is DOUBLING DOWN on bailing out a right wing MAGA strongman in Argentina by now trying to deliver $40 billion. This shows his priorities. He’d rather gift $40 billion to a MAGA-friendly government in exchange for NOTHING, rather than helping Americans lower their healthcare costs. What ever happened to America first?"
American Soybean Association president Caleb Ragland, on X: “The frustration is overwhelming. U.S. soybean prices are falling, harvest is underway, and farmers read headlines not about securing a trade agreement with China, but that the U.S. is extending $20 billion in economic support to Argentina.”
Stephen Farnsworth, professor of political science at the University of Mary Washington, previously told Newsweek: “Her recent remarks may hurt her in a future Republican primary, as President Trump can be brutal to dissidents in his party. But her emphasis on greater transparency may also help her carve out an identity as more principled on the Epstein files than many of her Republican colleagues, who may someday regret being too supportive of Trump on this matter."
AEI’s Steve Kamin previously told Newsweek: “Milei's stabilization program depends on external resources in order to stabilize the peso and reduce inflation. As his government has already run through most of its foreign exchange reserves, an additional infusion of cash could be helpful without jeopardizing the free-market nature of his reforms.”