Republicans warn of Hungarian leader Orbán’s influence on Trump and U.S. policy
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán’s growing influence in U.S. conservative circles, particularly among allies of former President Donald Trump, is raising alarms among Republican foreign policy experts, according to a piece by Politico.
As the article states, in October 2022, a conference co-sponsored by the Conservative Partnership Institute (CPI) brought Orbán’s Foreign Minister, Péter Szijjártó, to the U.S., where he presented a pro-Russian stance on the Ukraine conflict. Attendees, including GOP strategists and policy officials, were handed pamphlets promoting Russian viewpoints, urging the U.S. to scale back aid to Ukraine and pressuring Ukrainian President Zelensky to negotiate for peace.
Orbán’s major influence in the U.S.
Orbán’s tactics seem to be filling the void left by Trump’s previous relationship with Russian President Vladimir Putin. Unable to maintain an open bond with Putin due to the war in Ukraine, Trump now appears to align with Orbán, who has visited him twice this year. Orbán’s influence is being felt not just through political meetings but through a network of U.S. conservative think tanks, such as The Heritage Foundation, and other initiatives that push Hungary’s geopolitical interests.
The Hungarian PM’s growing presence in U.S. conservative policy circles is not limited to foreign policy. His government’s funding of U.S. think tanks, partnerships with conservative groups, and conferences on topics like migration and religious values, often veer into pro-Russian narratives. These moves worry traditional Republican officials, who view Orbán’s alignment with Russia as a threat to U.S. national security and Western alliances like NATO.
Hungary’s ties with authoritarian regimes
Simultaneously, Orbán’s ties to authoritarian regimes, including both Russia and China, have deepened. China became the largest investor in Hungary in 2023, prompting further scrutiny from U.S. leaders, including Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, who condemned Hungary’s expanding relations with adversarial states.
“The details of China’s growing influence in Budapest should raise red flags,” McConnell said.
The Hungarian government has tried to soften its image by aligning itself with conservative causes in the U.S. However, critics point to the Hungarian leader’s ulterior motives, accusing him of leveraging these alliances to promote his country’s pro-Russian stance. Despite claims from Hungarian officials denying the spread of Russian propaganda, events hosted by U.S. think tanks with Orbán’s backing frequently include discussions on ending military support to Ukraine, pushing a narrative many experts view as aligning with Russian interests.
Orbán’s expanded influence: Danube Institute and Heritage Foundation
Heritage Foundation’s partnership with Hungary’s Danube Institute is one such example of Hungary’s expanded influence. The think tank has reportedly facilitated discussions on reducing U.S. involvement in Ukraine, sparking concerns about foreign interference in GOP policy-making. Trump himself, despite distancing his campaign from specific plans like Heritage’s Project 2025, continues to praise the Hungarian PM, underscoring his importance as a global conservative figure. This relationship has implications for U.S. foreign policy, particularly if Trump returns to the White House in 2025, with Orbán playing a significant role in shaping his worldview.
Ultimately, Orbán’s embrace of Christian conservative values in his messaging serves to endear him to the American right, while his government benefits from significant financial ties to China and Russia. Critics view Orbán as a cunning lobbyist, using his “illiberal” model to advance his geopolitical objectives while undermining Western alliances. As Orbán continues to cultivate his ties within the MAGA movement, many in the GOP foreign policy establishment fear the long-term consequences of this influence on U.S. global standing and security.
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Ok, in defense of Orban and Szijjarto, it is safe to say they are not influent at all, they are just the representative of a small country with declining population and economy who dreams someday to be influent.
Then, how dare the republicans to doubt about the Hungarian peace makers intentions? Now its time for Hungary to sanction the pro war republicans.
Please not the irony and sarcasm of my comments.
Not even republicans like fidesz now
Hungary, like future republican US government is pro-peace and antiwar. Hungary has always said that the war is unacceptable. Only republican war mongers like Lindsay Graham want to continue Ukraine’s further destruction.
To all idiots of the world, including Jose Hernandez, there is such a thing as peaceful co-existence.
President Trump has previously and in the future will enact policies that will improve the lives of American citizens and not follow anyone’s example. Every country has different needs. The statement is utter stupid.
Other than MAGA Republicans and they’re the most radical and dangerous wing of the party. I read an interesting article however that suggested that even the MAGA group don’t have a full handle on Orban’s Hungary and they’d find plenty they’d dislike about the country if they looked beyond the headline culture war issues like socialised medicine, big state government, anti-libertarian price controls and a tendency towards state ownership.
Oh, “Politico” wrote it? Then it must be true!
At least this is one elected leader influencing another. Tell us about unelected shadowy billionaires and their hand-puppets settling global policies as well as dictating every aspect of public policy (and politics!) in dozens of countries domestically, almost always against the wishes of the actual citizens-voters.
Yeah, that’s not a problem at all. Because they are of the globalist-socialist persuasion.
Just like their mouthpieces, such as “Politico.”
Orban is a traitor to Europe, to democracy and to Hungary. After Hungary escaped 46 years of Russian oppression to gain its’ freedom he now threw away the freedom of Hungarians and sold it to Vladimir Putin. Orban represents Russia’s interests and his own pocket book. He is a con man who has monopolised state media to push Russian propaganda to make the Hungarian sheep follow him into Russian control. Hungary is lost unless the people wake up and realize what he is doing.
mariavontheresa – Put your BIG mouth WRONGFULLY into the idiotic commentary’s you have contributed on this subject.
YOU are a blatant – Hypocrite.
Over past years mariavontheresa – you have used this platform, from a position, as a “deserter” of Hungary, having “transferred” to reside in Northern America, that on countless occasions in your ATTACKS on the United States of America, your position vehemently attacking, the United States of America – that they have NO right to interfere in the Political environment – Orban – Fidesz Government of Hungary.
mariavontheresa – these “vehement” attacks, on numerous occasions have been inclusive, of your ‘Loathing” – DIRECTED at the Ambassador to Hungary, of the United States of America – David Pressman – WRONGFULLY taking the same idiotic position, conceiving – the “dreaming up” that Pressman has No Right – as a admitted Gay man, and as an Ambassador of the United States of America to Hungary, of your opinion, interfering in the Hungarian Political Environment – Orban – Fidesz Government of Hungary.
mariavontheresa – your adornment of the present Prime Minister of Hungary – the “photo gallery” in your “Pad” – of Victor Mihaly. Orban – your membership of Fidesz – we KNOW.
Is it true your tea cosy and your jar of maple syrup are covered with “cosy’s” – depicted with the face of Victor Mihaly. Orban on them ?
Surely this doesn’t include your toilet seat ?
mariavontheresa – Hypocrisy – the Hypocrite you are, is that the name on your apartment pad door bell ?
Should be.
Russia, Russia, Russia they cry over and over and over again.
After the Trump/Russian Collusion HOAX, the claim that Hunter Biden’s laptop was Russian disinformation, etc we no longer believe anything coming from that group about Orban or Trump.
They are PROVEN LIARS.
I know nothing about who Maria is, but by his own admission he/she doesn’t live in Hungary. Like so many others like him, cheering from the sidelines with no idea about the reality on the ground in Hungary, the deep seated poverty and collapsing public infrastructure. The only thing that matters to them is settling personal political scores, they care not an iota about Hungary and its future as they’ve no skin in the game. Hungary was a poor country in the past and it’s ok for it to remain so, they think, they underestimate Hungary’s capabilities as a country unshackled from bad government and financial mismanagement. Living in poverty is ok as long as none of your neighbours are muslim, they opine. Meanwhile, an impoverished life in Hungary is for other people, those foolish or unlucky enough to remain there while they left to enjoy the fruits of the west, where they elect to continue to live instead of putting their money where their mouth is and moving to the supposedly blossoming paradise that is Hungary. It never ceases to amaze me that some of the most hardcore Fidesz supporters are all abroad, moreover, oddly enough they’ve no plans to move here!
Such absurd claims from the RINO war profiteers is downright hilarious. Since none of them have done a thing to fix an America which is now likened to a third world nightmare, why are they so concerned with Orban? Russia IS NOT a threat to American security, MAGA certainly IS NOT a threat to American security, the current regime and it’s media manipulators are!
mariavontheresa – Hypocrite : Yes, I have criticized American policy that I disagreed with, guess what, that is what we call free speech.
You have never read any criticism of the American people; the American people are the kindest, cleverest most helpful. This is reflected by the thousands of American graves all over France and UK. People of EU always depended on the American people for rescue.
Prior to Mr. Trump’s presidency, NATO was mostly supported by the American taxpayers. When President Trump complained, EU leaders criticized the President.
Europe uses American technology that is shared by the US. The EU and western member nations are too cheap to invest in research and development. In spite of that, the EU parliament and national governments try to control the great American companies. Instead of controlling American companies, it is time for the EU to start looking after its people instead of taking advantage of Americans.
EU has turned into a Marxist failure. EU policies have ruined the agricultural sector, made EU companies obsolete due to cheap Chinese imports (presently Volkes Wagon in German thinking of closing all its plants, losing 120,000 jobs)
Then there is Brussels declaring omnipotence by interfering in the internal affairs of sovereign countries. Brussels cannot accept the fact that Hungarian people overwhelmingly voted to keep out illegal migrants, protection of children from mutilation and brainwashing and staying out of Ukraine/Russia war.
So do not lecture me on the validity of my comments. Look into the mirror as see the failure the EU became because of removal of competition. Review the statistics on the standard of living, even in countries such as Holland people have a hard time providing food and shelter. The EU enacted and keeps enacting policies that are detrimental to the continent, e.g. immigration policy, agricultural policy, climate policy, etc.
Since you are satisfied with failure do not criticize those that want to improve the lives of people at large. So Shut Up.
Maria talking about free speech and then trying to shut up to someone who she doesn’t agree with😄 at least i got for with her comments. But anyway, going back to her point of views, it is always a contradiction she calls Russia and china allies when European and american policies goes against them and by extension against Hungary. It does not matter who is in charge of the USA, Either democrats or republicans, they will mark a red line to Russia and china, so the question is, in what side do you want to be?
I hope, for all Hungarians, that our Politicians have a “Plan B” if the Old Don does not win the election. We want and need a tax treaty with the US, do not need additional acrimony with NATO´s most influential Member, and, at some point, we may want this ESTA special regime to go away (caused by our Politicians handing out Hungarian passports without proper vetting).
@michaelsteiner – have the answer yet to the price controls / price caps matter and socialism / marxism? Asserting state control of certain industries?
@mariavontheresa – value your input, however … Please let others speak their minds, too. It is so important to also listen. And render opinion. Not everyone is so lucky. Greetings from HK.
A lot of comments here. I quite like London Steve and Norbert. What polarization of ideas we have here! As much as I can I try to point out who occupied Hungary and do you want them back? I must somehow be naive in some way to think that the answer should be obvious. I am also a monitor of sorts of Russian disinformation and its’ dissemination.
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Socialist always support each other and failed administrations like the EU.
Today we have wars and rumors of wars to come in many places on earth. We have disasters such as earthquakes, fires, floods and storms in places all around the world as well. In short were a mess. The reason I believe is clear. These are the end times and were headed quickly to the tribulation period that the Bible tells us about. Jesus Christ died in man kinds place in order to forgive us of our sins. All you need to do to get that forgiveness is to turn from sin and pray to him and take his free gift of forgiveness. If you want that salvation in Jesus, do it quickly because as you can see time is running out and the tribulation period of God that will punish the whole world is coming fast! Don’t be here when it arrives!