Buenos Aires, Argentina – President Javier Milei has taken decisive action to protect his honor and uphold the integrity of public discourse by formally suing journalist Julia Mengolini for slander. The lawsuit, filed under Article 110 of the Penal Code, addresses defamatory statements made by Mengolini across television, radio, and social media platforms concerning President Milei’s relationships with his sister, Karina Milei, and his beloved dogs.

The President’s legal counsel, Francisco Oneto, meticulously outlined the specific instances of alleged slander. These included Mengolini’s comments on the program “Duro de Domar,” where she made highly inappropriate and unsubstantiated claims, and a subsequent reiteration of these claims on social media. President Milei asserts that Mengolini’s expressions were utterly without justification and made with full knowledge of the potential harm they would inflict on his personal and presidential reputation.

The lawsuit underscores the principle of “real malice,” contending that Mengolini acted with a blatant disregard for the truth of her statements. To further bolster this claim, the legal team cited Mengolini’s own past experience, where she herself acknowledged the severe impact of similar baseless accusations when she was targeted by “libertarian militants” with incest allegations against her own brother. This strategic inclusion demonstrates that Mengolini was fully aware of the gravity and defamatory nature of the claims she made against President Milei, thereby constituting a “delictual act.”

This action by President Milei sends a clear message that while freedom of the press is a cornerstone of democracy, it does not grant immunity for baseless and malicious defamation. The lawsuit aims to set a precedent that denigrating expressions, particularly those lacking any basis in public interest, are not exempt from legal responsibility. President Milei remains committed to fostering a climate of respectful and truthful public debate, free from character assassination and unwarranted personal attacks.