It's official: An individual familiar with the matter revealed that next week, former President Donald Trump's Florida residence, Mar-a-Lago, will be visited by Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán.
Trump is trying to shift his focus to his impending rematch with President Joe Biden in the upcoming race, and this meeting comes at the same time. After dominating early Republican presidential primary contests and showing his clout among GOP lawmakers and party officials, Trump appears to be in a stronger political position than before.
Under the condition of anonymity, the individual briefed on the plans spoke without official authorization to reveal them to the public.
Even though they've been allies for a long time, Trump frequently compliments the right-wing nationalist Orbán in his campaign rallies. During Orbán's 2022 U.S. visit to speak at the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) in Texas, the two crossed paths at Trump's Bedminster, New Jersey, golf club.
Orbán encouraged Trump to "keep on fighting" in a message he posted in April 2023, the same month that charges were brought in the first of four criminal proceedings against Trump.
For Orbán's reelection campaign in 2022, Trump offered his "complete support and endorsement" in early 2022.
Since taking office in 2010, Orban has advocated for what he terms "illiberal democracy." However, he has come under fire from international observers, including the U.S. State Department, for allegedly leading an increasingly authoritarian system in Hungary.
Claims against him include reversing minority rights, seizing control of the media and the judiciary, and manipulating the country's election system to ensure his continued rule.
stay turned for development