Donald Trump met with Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán in Florida on Thursday night, following Orbán’s recent meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin. This gathering at Mar-a-Lago marks the latest in a series of discussions between the two leaders.
Orbán has publicly endorsed Trump’s re-election bid, asserting that there is a “very, very high chance” that President Joe Biden will lose in the upcoming election. In a tweet, Orbán referred to their meeting as “peace mission 5.0,” expressing optimism about Trump’s potential to resolve global conflicts.
Despite facing criticism in Europe for his pro-Russian stance, Orbán remains a favorite among Trump supporters and conservatives in the U.S. His diplomatic efforts have included meetings with Chinese leader Xi Jinping and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky as part of a self-described “peace” initiative.
In a recent interview, Orbán praised Trump as a “self-made man” and noted that a Trump victory would be beneficial for global politics, highlighting that Trump did not initiate any wars during his presidency. Orbán criticized the Biden administration for its handling of the Ukraine conflict, suggesting that new leadership could create new opportunities.
Historically, Orbán was the first EU leader to support Trump’s 2016 presidential campaign. Their relationship has strengthened since Trump left office, with Trump openly praising Orbán at events like the Conservative Political Action Conference.
Following their meeting, Orbán reiterated the need for respected leaders who can foster peace, calling Trump one of them. Trump’s engagement with Orbán and similar figures reflects a broader alliance that seeks to challenge current global dynamics and push back against progressive movements.