After José Luis Espert’s resignation as candidate for Buenos Aires Province, President Javier Milei came to his defense. He affirmed that he never forced the step down and emphasized his confidence in Espert’s integrity, calling his departure a “noble gesture.”

In a televised interview, Milei accused the opposition of launching a smear campaign at the worst possible time. He noted that honest people are not used to being dragged through mud, and asserted that Espert’s prior work was in the private sector—not politics—and that there was no malicious intent behind past contracts.

Milei said the real debate should pivot toward Argentina’s future, not “who is stained or not,” especially given who is making the accusations. He reaffirmed that La Libertad Avanza stands for transparency and will correct any missteps when they appear.

This moment underscores a test for Milei’s campaign: balancing internal loyalty with external pressure, while projecting that his movement is principled, not blindly partisan.