Former President Donald Trump has endorsed Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán for reelection. Orbán is a far-right, nationalist leader who has defied America’s allies many times.
Trump said of Orbán in a statement on Monday, “He has done a powerful and wonderful job in protecting Hungary, stopping illegal immigration, creating jobs, trade, and should be allowed to continue to do so in the upcoming Election.” Trump added, “He has my Complete support and Endorsement for reelection as Prime Minister!”
Trump has voiced support for Orbán for years. In 2019, he granted an Oval Office meeting to Orbán. He said that the Hungarian nationalist has “done a tremendous job in so many different ways.” He also said that Orbán was “probably, like me, a little bit controversial. But that’s OK.”
Orbán is not the only right-wing foreign leader accused of destroying democracy whom Trump has supported. For example, Trump was known for his close friendship with President Vladimir Putin of Russia, who has worked intensively to attack the U.S. and undermine democracy worldwide. In addition, Trump announced last October that his endorsement for the reelection of far-right President Jair Bolsonaro of Brazil.
Although Orbán has publicly worked to undermine democracy, Republican figures in the U.S. have advocated for his leadership. In August, Fox News host Tucker Carlson broadcast his show from Budapest, interviewing and extensively praising Orbán.
In contrast, President Joe Biden has publicly demonstrated a lack of support for Orbán. In December, Hungary was the only European Union state uninvited from Biden’s virtual Summit for Democracy.
Throughout Trump’s presidency, the Republican regularly boasted of his kinship with right-wing nationalists, especially instead of those leading democratic nations and U.S. allies. In December, during a tour appearance with disgraced former Fox News host Bill O’Reilly, Trump said proudly, “The ones I did the best with were the tyrants.”
