Staff Reports
In a brazen move, former President Donald Trump hosted Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban at his luxurious Mar-a-Lago resort, thumbing his nose at the Biden administration in the process. This unconventional meeting took place after Orban snubbed President Joe Biden on his recent trip to the United States, choosing instead to cozy up to the MAGA crowd.
Trump welcomes Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban to Mar-a-Lago resort https://t.co/NwaHkYiDdf https://t.co/NwaHkYiDdf
— Washington Examiner (@dcexaminer) March 9, 2024
According to Trump’s camp, the high-profile duo huddled to chat about issues impacting both Hungary and the United States, particularly the hot-button topic of border security. Trump raved about Orban’s no-nonsense, take-charge attitude, declaring him “the boss” in a video posted on Instagram.
But Trump wasn’t the only one entertaining the Hungarian leader; former First Lady Melania Trump also carved out time for a sit-down with him. The political power player even made an appearance at a gathering hosted by the Heritage Foundation, solidifying his influence within conservative circles.
The meeting didn’t sit well with President Biden, who took shots at the rendezvous during a campaign pit stop in Pennsylvania. Biden took aim at Orban, branding him as anti-democratic and even went as far as questioning the former president’s judgment for meeting with him.
Orban’s controversial record, including his ties to Russian President Vladimir Putin, his reluctance to aid Ukraine, and his alleged attempts to tamper with Hungary’s judicial system, has sparked fervent criticism. Add that to his staunch anti-immigration stance and rejection of “woke” ideology, and it’s clear why he’s become a lightning rod for liberal ire.
But Orban’s brand of politics has found a home among the right-wing crowd, drawing comparisons to Trump himself. His upcoming hosting of an overseas version of the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) is just further proof of his growing sway within conservative circles. Love him or loathe him, it’s hard to ignore the impact Orban is having on the political landscape.
