During his visit to the Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Agriculture of San Rafael, Mendoza, Javier Milei asked to be presented as a “doctor” instead of a “graduate”, despite not having that academic title. The President has a degree in Economics, published books and papers, but does not have a doctorate, and has been accused on several occasions of plagiarism in his texts. The gesture, apparently minor, generated discomfort among attendees and in networks, where it was interpreted as an attempt to grant himself a higher academic rank.
The central purpose of the event in San Rafael was to renew political support for the presidential agenda and project it to the Mendoza business community. In his speech, Milei called for “deepening the pro-market reforms that Argentina needs,” stating that his government is committed to “changing the reality of all Argentines forever” through a model based on production, work and less state intervention. The event was also used by Governor Alfredo Cornejo to highlight the provincial advances in infrastructure, connectivity and health, and warn that the country is facing a decisive choice between consolidating “a healthy economy” or returning “to the inflationary hell of improvisation and demagogy.”
Milei’s fixation on being called a “doctor” began with an honorary doctorate awarded to him in 2022 by the Higher School of Economics and Business Administration (ESEADE), an institution linked to the economist Alberto Benegas Lynch (h), one of his main ideological references. The title was merely symbolic, without thesis, defense or postgraduate studies, as is the case with formal academic doctorates. Although the recognition lacks real academic validity, the President uses it to present himself publicly.
At that time, the distinction generated a strong repudiation within ESEADE itself: the economist Roberto Cachanosky resigned from his teaching position in protest and spoke with NOTICIAS about it: “I do not agree that this title is given to someone who uses insults and disqualification. I consider that because of this the institution loses seriousness and academic level, and I have to take care of my name and my prestige. They cannot give these titles to someone who is proven that he plagiarized.”
