Donald Trump expressed admiration for Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán during a concert at Trump’s Mar-a-Lago resort.
Trump extolled Orbán’s leadership, asserting, “There’s nobody that’s better, smarter or a better leader than Viktor Orbán. He’s fantastic.”
He further lauded Orbán as a decisive leader who commands respect globally, stating, “He’s a noncontroversial figure because he said, ‘This is the way it’s going to be,’ and that’s the end of it, right? He’s the boss and … he’s a great leader, fantastic leader. In Europe and around the world, they respect him.”
Trump also remarked on the significance of their meeting, noting their continued communication post-presidency, “It’s an honor … We’ve kept in touch.”
This event highlighted Trump’s pattern of engaging with global strongmen, sometimes at the detriment of relationships with traditional U.S. allies. The meeting, described by sources as a social gathering without a set agenda, aimed to discuss various issues pertinent to Hungary and the United States, including the critical need for secure borders to maintain national sovereignty.
Orbán’s initiative for this encounter underscores his effort to maintain a dialogue with Trump against the backdrop of a members-only event at Mar-a-Lago featuring tribute bands and the Palm Beach Symphony. The evening saw Orbán presenting Melania Trump with flowers during a performance, symbolizing the warm relations between the two figures.
The Biden administration has notably distanced itself from Orbán, not extending an invitation for a White House visit, reflective of concerns about Orbán’s supposed authoritarian leanings and illiberal policies. President Joe Biden expressed his apprehension about the meeting, highlighting Orbán’s skepticism toward democracy and indicating the importance of defending democratic values.
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