Hungary’s Viktor Orbán wishes Trump luck in the election against Harris

The prime minister and the former president have built a close relationship over the last few years.

Oct. 31, 2024, 3:08 PM EDT By Allison Detzel

Viktor Orbán:

  • “Just got off the phone with President [Trump]. I wished him the best of luck for next Tuesday. Only five days to go. Fingers crossed.”
  • “It was an honour to visit President [Trump] at Mar-a-Lago today. We discussed ways to make #peace. The good news of the day: he’s going to solve it!”

As a private citizen, Trump has continued a non-diplomatic relationship with Orbán, Trump has held several meetings with the nationalist leader, most recently at his Mar-a-Lago residence in July. Shortly after attending the NATO summit in Washington, Orbán made a stop in Florida to sit down with Trump, after which he posted a photo of them giving the camera a thumbs-up with the caption:

Wannabe Strong Man, Donald Trump, Poses With Hungary's Strong Man, Viktor Orbán at Trump's Mar-a-Lago Golf Resort in Palm Beach, Florida.

During Trump’s debate with Harris in September, the former president, known for his admiration of dictators and authoritarian leaders, name-checked Orbán and called him a “tough person” and “smart.” He then went on to explain that the feeling was mutual: “Look, Viktor Orbán said it. He said, ‘The most respected, the most feared person is Donald Trump. We had no problems when Trump was president,’” Trump said on stage.

Earlier this year, Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell called out members of his party over what he described as a “cult of personality” around the ruler. “Hungary’s leaders have made no secret of their conviction that the future is one of American decline. Subservience to revanchist powers is not an American value. But far more importantly, it is not in America’s interests.”, McConnell said on the Senate floor.