In 2019, Javier Milei was the star economist on Argentine television. He participated almost daily in “Intratables”, “Animales Sueltos”, “A Dos Voces”, “La Cornisa” and “Polemica en el Bar”. In that last cycle, she starred in a postcard that today takes on another meaning: she appeared in the studio with a box of chocolates for Virginia Gallardo, one of Mariano Iúdica’s “barwomen.”
“Thank you very much, Mr. Milei, for the chocolates you brought me,” she said on air. “He is a gentleman and he also brought us our makeup and hairdresser as a gift,” he added, while the economist smiled and the panelists celebrated the scene with laughter. “Talk about it behind the camera!” one said, jokingly. Gallardo took private economics classes with him and that same year he surprised by meeting Axel Kicillof live citing concepts learned with Milei.
It was the rise of the Milei phenomenon in the media. Between 2015 and 2020 he dominated the television debate with graphics, virals, live fights and an anti-establishment speech that made him a figure long before he competed at the polls. His presence guaranteed ratings and, in parallel, he began to build relationships with journalists, panelists, producers and entertainment figures. That open sympathy with Gallardo was not an isolated gesture, but rather the anticipation of a silent political assembly.
In 2025, this informal link was consolidated. Gallardo was a candidate for deputy for La Libertad Avanza in Corrientes and obtained 32.58% of the votes (178,292 votes), coming second and securing a seat. In the provincial capital he even won with 40.83%. Today, the chocolate video—recycled on TikTok and
What began as a television courtesy ended in Congress. The panelist who thanked chocolates in front of the camera is now an elected national representative. And that light scene, which at the time was an anecdote and humor, today is reread as the discreet origin of a political alliance that transcended the screen to become real power.
