Trump and Orbán alliance/ Orbán support for Trump/ Trump debate Orbán reference/ Newslooks/ BUDAPEST/ Hungary/ During the debate with Kamala Harris, Donald Trump praised Hungary’s Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, highlighting their mutual respect. Orbán, known for his right-wing populism and close ties to Russia and China, has been embraced by U.S. conservatives despite his controversial policies. Trump referenced Orbán’s statement calling him the “most respected” leader.
Trump Praises Orbán: Quick Looks
- Trump’s Praise: During the debate, Trump highlighted Hungarian leader Viktor Orbán’s admiration for him, calling Orbán “tough and smart.”
- Orbán’s Popularity: Orbán, a right-wing populist, is admired by U.S. conservatives for his stance on immigration and family policies.
- Orbán’s Policies: Orbán’s controversial moves include restricting LGBTQ+ rights, controlling media, and fostering close relations with Russia and China.
- Orbán’s Endorsement: Orbán has endorsed Trump’s 2024 presidential bid and supports his ability to swiftly end the war in Ukraine.
- Democratic Reactions: Prominent Democrats criticized Trump for citing Orbán as an ally, with Hillary Clinton calling Orbán a “democracy-killing dictator.”
Trump cites Hungary’s Orbán as key supporter in debate
Deep Look
During his debate with Vice President Kamala Harris, former President Donald Trump made a point of referencing Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán as a foreign leader who has voiced his admiration for Trump. Trump called Orbán a “tough” and “smart” leader, underscoring the mutual respect between the two men. “They call him a strongman,” Trump said, countering Harris’ argument that global leaders are laughing at Trump.
Orbán, the longest-serving leader in the European Union and a staunch right-wing populist, has become a hero to certain conservative factions in the U.S. for his self-described “illiberal democracy” and nationalist policies. Orbán has garnered attention for his strict anti-immigration stance, which includes the construction of a double-layered fence along Hungary’s southern border in 2015 to block refugees, primarily from Syria. His policies also include some of the harshest restrictions on LGBTQ+ rights in the EU. These moves have drawn significant criticism from other EU member states and human rights advocates who accuse Orbán of undermining democracy and eroding civil liberties.
Despite these controversies, Orbán has built strong ties with influential figures in Trump’s political orbit. For instance, Trump’s former senior adviser, Steve Bannon, once described Orbán as “Trump before Trump,” referring to Orbán’s populist, nationalist agenda that closely mirrors the ideologies Trump championed during his presidency.
Trump has shown admiration for Orbán since their meeting in the Oval Office in 2019, a gathering that left some lawmakers uncomfortable. Orbán’s policies have since gained traction among certain right-wing groups in the U.S., particularly for his efforts to boost Hungary’s declining birth rate without relying on immigration. His government has incentivized families to have more children through generous subsidies and low-interest loans, a strategy that appeals to conservatives advocating for family values.
Orbán’s stance on immigration is not the only reason he resonates with U.S. conservatives. His close relations with Russia and China, despite Hungary being a member of NATO and the EU, have made him a controversial figure within the international community. He has repeatedly blocked or delayed EU efforts to aid Ukraine and sanction Moscow over the ongoing war. While many Western leaders have focused on providing military and economic support to Ukraine, Orbán has pushed for a cease-fire without addressing the broader consequences for Ukraine’s sovereignty or European security. His reluctance to take a firm stance against Russia has distanced him from many of his EU counterparts, yet strengthened his bond with Trump, who has also signaled his desire to bring an end to the war in Ukraine through diplomatic means.
The admiration between Trump and Orbán was most recently on display in July 2024, when the two leaders met at Trump’s Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida. Orbán later posted a photo of the meeting on social media, stating that they had discussed paths to peace and that Trump “is going to solve it,” referring to the war in Ukraine. Trump responded on his own social platform, thanking Orbán and reiterating the need for a swift resolution to the conflict.
Orbán has not been shy about his support for Trump’s presidential bid in the upcoming November election. He has repeatedly praised Trump’s leadership, even claiming that Europe and the world were more stable when Trump was in office. During a campaign rally in June, Orbán remarked on the shifting demographics in Europe, lamenting that “there aren’t enough Christian, white, traditional Europeans,” and suggesting that migration is filling that gap—a view that aligns with some of the nationalist rhetoric present in parts of the American right.
Trump’s reference to Orbán during the debate did not go unnoticed by Democrats. Hillary Clinton took to social media to lambast the former president for invoking Orbán, labeling him a “democracy-killing Hungarian dictator.” Other Democrats, including Harris’ running mate, Tim Walz, also expressed alarm, saying that Trump’s praise of Orbán was telling, given the Hungarian leader’s efforts to undermine democratic norms.
While Orbán’s embrace of Trump underscores their ideological alignment, it also highlights a growing divide between Trump’s wing of the Republican Party and traditional Western alliances. As Trump continues to tout Orbán’s endorsement, it remains to be seen how this will play with voters, particularly those who are wary of authoritarian leaders and concerned about the erosion of democratic institutions.
