For the Hungarian prime minister it’s a singular opportunity to portray himself as the Trump administration’s pre-eminent European ally. Trump has previously praised him as “one of the strongest” world leaders, and Orbán anticipated MAGA’s obsessions over a decade ago with his assertive nationalism, his contempt for the EU, and his success in asserting influence over Hungary’s media and public institutions.
For the White House, the visit is a sign of appreciation that Orbán stuck with Trump through the tougher times — especially his four years out of power and his 2024 election campaign — when other world leaders shunned him.
“Orbán has been with the president for a very long time. He was with him through the trials and tribulations, through the entire campaign. There wasn’t any world leader who wanted to meet with Trump or bonded, consistently made trips to Mar-a-Lago, made an effort to keep in contact with him,” said the official, who was granted anonymity to share a perspective on the trip they weren’t authorized to disclose publicly.
“I think we’re sort of like repaying the favor here — it’s a way to show that you’ve been with us through thick and thin, and we’ll do the same for you,” the official added.
Polls spell trouble for Orbán
The display of transatlantic loyalty probably won’t alter the political equation in Hungary, however, where a growing swell of opposition to the ruling Fidesz party is focused on the country’s economic weakness and the cronyism and corruption associated with Orbán. That popular resistance has put Péter Magyar’s Tisza party in a strong position to win the vote, according to POLITICO’s Poll of Polls, which has shown him ahead since late 2024.
Dislike for Trump among Hungarians is generally not as high as in Western Europe — where the U.S. leader has an almost 80 percent unpopularity rating — but endorsements from the U.S. administration are far from a seal of victory.