Argentina's political helicopter is José Mayans , who, in the middle of a session of the upper house, harshly disqualified journalist and actress Virginia Gallardo , currently a candidate for national deputy for La Libertad Avanza (LLA) Javier Milei 's party .
The episode had an immediate impact on social media and crossed the River Plate. Not only because of the insults—"idiot" and "stupid"—but also because the discussion exposed a sensitive issue that also resonates in Uruguay: the high salaries of legislators .
2. What did José Mayans say in the Senate?
During a parliamentary debate, Mayans challenged rumors that an Argentine senator earns more than 10 million pesos a month . According to him, this figure was fabricated and amplified by opponents and the media.
However, in his attempt to deny it, the man from Formosa pointed directly at Virginia Gallardo:
"If that idiot thinks she's coming here to earn 10 million, she's been lied to. She's a total idiot," Mayans said in the room.
The statement fell like a bombshell. Not only because it was a personal attack on a candidate in the midst of a campaign, but also because it exposed the ruling party's unease over an awkward debate: the issue of million-dollar salaries in Congress.
3. Virginia Gallardo's response
Far from remaining silent, Gallardo used her social media to respond harshly:
"Even more foolish and stupid, Mr. Mayans, is not knowing that I am a candidate for deputy and not senator, so you will not have the pleasure of having me as a companion."
Ironically, the media personality took the opportunity to point out a basic error in the legislator's actions and, at the same time, play the victim in front of the public.
In another message, he added:
"I wanted to congratulate you on the manners you have, treating a woman who could be your daughter like this. Painful country…"
Gallardo's posts went viral in a matter of minutes, fueling the rift between Kirchnerists and libertarians and generating a debate that even reached television programs in Uruguay.
4. The background: million-dollar salaries in the Argentine Congress
The real heart of the scandal lies in the money. According to the Senate's own resolution, approved in April 2024, Argentine legislators' salaries were tied to the salary increases of Congressional employees.
This means that, by the end of 2025, a senator will earn a gross salary of more than 10.2 million Argentine pesos . Although the amount is reduced by legal deductions, the figure is still enormous compared to the average salary of an Argentine worker.
And that's where the controversy begins. For Gallardo and La Libertad Avanza, Congress has become a "privileged caste" disconnected from social reality. For Mayans and the ruling party, however, it's a media attack manipulated by Milei and his followers.
In Uruguay, where parliamentary salaries have also been criticized, the Argentine case is being closely watched like an uncomfortable mirror.
5. Political and social reactions
The clash didn't end with words. Several leaders came out to condemn Mayans's insult, accusing him of being misogynistic and exposing the worst face of Kirchnerism. Others, however, defended him, claiming that Gallardo used his media appearances to spread false information.
On social media, the hashtags #Mayans and #VirginiaGallardo trended throughout the day. The video of the clash also circulated in Uruguayan media, where political analysts drew parallels with local debates over parliamentary privileges.
6. Gallardo's role in La Libertad Avanza
Gallardo's image is, in itself, controversial. Well-known in Argentine showbiz, she entered politics with Milei and is currently a candidate for deputy in Corrientes.
His candidacy reflects the libertarian strategy of recruiting high-profile media figures to garner votes. A tactic that has already been experimented with in Uruguay, from athletes to influencers who have made the leap into politics.
7. Impact on Uruguay and the region
Although the exchange took place in Buenos Aires, its repercussions were felt strongly in Montevideo. The episode revived the debate over the salaries of Uruguayan legislators , which, while not as high as those in Argentina, continue to be the subject of public criticism.
Furthermore, Mayans' confrontational style and Gallardo's ironic retort exemplify the regional political climate: tense, personal, and amplified by social media.
8. Final reflection
The Mayans-Gallardo case shows how a discussion about parliamentary allowances can turn into a media spectacle of insults and discrediting.
In Argentina, as in Uruguay, citizens closely monitor the earnings of their representatives and demand greater transparency and austerity. But as long as politicians continue to argue over personal grievances instead of being accountable, the gap between the people and politics will continue to grow.
