Trump Expresses Support for Orban Ahead of Hungarian Elections

In a significant show of support just days before Hungary's elections scheduled for April 12, U.S. President Donald Trump made a phone call during a rally in Budapest, endorsing Prime Minister Viktor Orban. This development was reported by Euractiv.

U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance, who arrived in Hungary to campaign for Orban, reached out to Trump immediately after the Prime Minister welcomed him on stage during a rally for the Fidesz party supporters. However, journalists noted that the call initially went to the president's voicemail, creating an awkward moment right on stage.

Footage published online shows Vance attempting to connect with Trump, but his first attempt was unsuccessful. A recorded female voice indicating that the person being called had not set up their voicemail brought a smile to Vance's face, prompting him to try again.

When Trump finally picked up the phone, he was initially unprepared for the conversation. The U.S. President asked Vance to “hold on a second,” but the loud cheers from the Hungarian crowd supporting Orban made him change his mind. “I think they love you even more than Viktor Orban,” Vance remarked, to which Trump replied that the crowd sounded like “his people.”

President Trump confirmed his support for Orban, stating, “I am a big fan of Viktor, I fully support him, and the United States fully supports him.” He emphasized that Orban “has not allowed people to storm your country and invade it like others have.” Trump believes that Orban “has kept your country in order, he has kept Hungarians in your country.” The U.S. President added that if he did not think Orban was doing a good job, he would not have made such a call.

Moreover, Trump addressed the crowd through Vance's mobile phone, saying, “I love Hungary, and I love Viktor.” This moment highlights the significance of the support Trump provides to Orban in the context of the upcoming elections.

Vice President J.D. Vance arrived in Budapest on April 7, just days before the parliamentary elections in Hungary. Vance stated that his visit aims to support Orban, as the European Union is “interfering” in Hungarian elections. This statement underscores the tension between the Hungarian government and European institutions.

Additionally, on March 25, Trump had already expressed his “full support” for Orban and urged Hungarians to vote for him in the parliamentary elections. This indicates that U.S. backing for Orban holds strategic significance for both countries.

On April 1, Reuters reported, citing data from two polls, that the opposition political force Tisza had increased its lead over Orban's ruling Fidesz party ahead of the parliamentary elections. This could suggest that the political landscape in Hungary is quite tense, and Trump's support may influence the voting results.

Thus, Trump's phone call during the rally in Budapest underscores the importance of international support for Orban and his party in the context of the upcoming elections, as well as demonstrating how political ties between the U.S. and Hungary can impact the country's domestic policy.