Viktor Orbán’s strategies reached overseas – Even American lobbyists were involved
Many prominent American public figures and people related to politics were guests in Hungary and even met the Prime Minister, Viktor Orbán.
Donald Trump’s vice-president, Mike Pence, visited Hungary to attend the IV Demographic Summit in Budapest. The Prime Minister met him in the Carmelite monastery. Jeff Sessions, Minister of Justice under Trump’s presidency, was invited to deliver a speech at Duna Intézet (Danube Institute). The host of Fox News, Tucker Carlson, also met the Hungarian PM, and the PM gave him an interview, in which he talked about plans to found an ideological centre for the global conservative movement, writes Euronews.
The American Conservative Union founded in 1964 has the idea to hold a meeting in Budapest in 2022. This may be linked to the Hungarian strategy to make Orbán and Hungary more sympathetic in the opinion of Americans.
In 2011, a campaign started to make Hungary and the Prime Minister more popular and to extend networking opportunities. HirKlikk writes that the network of government offices, Hungarian diaspora groups, educational institutions, and Hungarian-American foundations established by the government had taken part in shifting the narrative of an authoritarian nationalist politician and the friend of Russia and China to that of a politician who is a world-renowned conservative leader.
Former US ambassador to Hungary praises Orbán’s premiership
Since 2012, 4.5 million dollars (1.4 billion forints) were spent on paying American lobbyists.
In 2014, Connie Mack IV from Florida, a former member of Congress, was hired. To her and the organisations led by her, 3.4 million dollars were paid. After the contract ended, Policy Impact Strategic Communications was the next collaborator, led by William Nixon, a veteran Republican lobbyist. In this case, only 265,000 dollars were paid. The strategy worked, and Tucker Carlson was introduced to the Hungarian Ambassador of Washington, and later, the Hungarian Minister of Foreign Affairs, Péter Szijjártó, was interviewed by him.
During the Trump administration, Connie Mack was involved in the decision of the American government to not give a fund of 700,000 dollars to support independent Hungarian media. In 2019, the strategy arrived at a milestone when the Hungarian prime minister met Donald Trump in the Oval Office.
Hungary to become the exemplar of the American right-wing “Trumpism”?
Some Americans might have doubts regarding the Hungary Foundation, which supports young researchers and university students but seem to have strong ties to Hungarian politicians. In 2018, for instance, the granddaughter of Pál Schmitt (former president) got a scholarship. At the time, the director of the foundation was no other than Anna Smith Lacey (née Stumpf), daughter of István Strumpf, former Constitutional Judge and Chancellor. In 2020, two think tanks in Washington were connected to the foundation, but the cooperation was ended on their part.
For a more extended analysis of the topic, read the article of The New York Times.
Read alsoHungarian passport ranked top 10 in the world
Source: Euronews, hirklikk.hu
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11 Comments
“Since 2012, 4.5 million dollars (1.4 billion forints) were spent on paying American lobbyists.”
Money well spent.
Lobbyist are the sellers of policies
It is better to have friendly relations with countries and money spent to further good relations is a good investment.
Money that could better have been spent at home! This amount is just pittance in American terms yet just huge back here.
Hungary is attacked a lot since communist takeover of America. Hungary is properly spending some money to present the Hungarian side. President Trump is an American patriot who supported Hungary.
Biden shall the communist democrats cheated to the WH is the enemy of American people and the enemy of Hungarian people.
Money well spent!
Dennis Prager also visited and is one of the most important conservatives in the world. He ranks up there with Tucker Carlson.
PragerU is booming and a major influence among younger people. YouTube have censored over 200 of their videos- this should scare the hell out of anyone with common sense .
America needs President Trump now more than ever.
America is now ruled by America haters that stole the election from President Trump.
They put in the WH that senile Biden that has no clue where he is or what he is doing. He just says and does what his America hating communist democrats tell him.
Senile Biden is happiest in his basement with his nurse Jill to change his diapers.
THE COMMUNISTS ARE RUNNING AMERICA?
As each day goes by and I read the latest outpouring from István, the more I question his sanity. Anyone who idolises Trump in such a manner clearly has a screw loose.
Politics is a game of deception. A lot of people pretend to be who they are not and its incredibly difficult to trust those in power. You will have people who dress up as candidates of a party and say all the right talking points but when it comes time to vote on policies they will betray who they are. This is important to keep in mind. Tucker Carlson seems like a legitimately good person(for now). President Trump seems to have America’s interests at heart however Mike Pence is not Trump and is not someone to be trusted despite being part of his administration. He had an opportunity to overturn the election but chose not to stand with Trump. Be on guard Hungarians.
Politics is a game of deception. A lot of people pretend to be who they are not and its incredibly difficult to trust those in power. You will have people who dress up as candidates of a party and say all the right talking points but when it comes time to vote on policies they will betray who they are. This is important to keep in mind. Tucker Carlson seems like a legitimately good person(for now). President Trump seems to have America’s interests at heart however Mike Pence is not Trump and is not someone to be trusted despite being part of his administration. He had an opportunity to overturn the election but chose not to stand with Trump. Be on guard Hungarians.
There are a number of people posting here who I agree with and disagree with others. I agree with Lee, MVT and TM, especially Lee but I would probably make the same points with more force -:)
I have no use for the likes of “Gabor” because they are not capable of rational argument and resorts to crude insults.
Some far-left “Hungarian” politicians are like that. Jakab, Gyurcsány and Tordai come to mind. They use their time in the Hungarian Parliament to libel, smear and threaten members of ruling political party. They often use foul language. It is language they could use at the corner pub and get their face smashed by other drunks or far-left forums. Fortunately, the Speaker slaps heavy fines on them for disrespecting the Hungarian Parliament and their fellow representatives.