UPDATE - Trump says he'll endorse Argentinian President Milei in upcoming elections

ADDS REMARKS BY TRUMP; CHANGES LEDE, HEAD

By Diyar Guldogan

WASHINGTON (AA) - US President Donald Trump said Tuesday that he will endorse his Argentinian counterpart Javier Milei in the South American nation's upcoming elections.

"Your career has been an amazing one, and it's going to continue with the election. You're going to win the election. We're going to endorse you. I'm going to endorse you today. Fully endorse you," Trump said in front of reporters alongside Milei at the White House.

Trump said it is a "very big" election being watched by the world, "because he's done an incredible job."

The endorsement came as Milei faces legislative elections on Oct. 26, with half the Chamber of Deputies and one-third of Senate seats up for grabs.

Milei has become "very popular," Trump said.

"He's on the verge of a breakthrough. I think he's really on the verge of tremendous economic success," he added.

The US wants to help Argentina, the president said.

Milei's La Libertad Avanza party recently suffered a significant defeat in provincial elections in the capital Buenos Aires, securing only 33.8% compared to the Peronist opposition's 47%.

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said Monday that his department "stands ready" to support Argentina, calling it "a systemically important US ally in Latin America" with "all options for stabilization on the table."