In a high-profile endorsement that underscored the growing alliance between populist leaders across the globe, former U.S. President Donald Trump on Friday praised Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán as a “true champion of national sovereignty” during a gathering of Europe’s far-right elite in Budapest. Speaking via video link to the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) held in Hungary’s capital, Trump hailed Orbán’s hardline policies on immigration, media control, and judicial independence as a model for conservative governance, while critics warned of the broader implications for democratic backsliding and economic inequality. The event, attended by far-right figures from Italy, France, and Spain, highlighted the deepening ties between nationalist movements that have increasingly challenged the European Union’s commitment to liberal democracy and free-market principles.
The gathering comes amid mounting scrutiny over the financial and political entanglements of Orbán’s government, which has faced repeated allegations of corruption and cronyism. Transparency International’s 2025 Corruption Perceptions Index ranked Hungary 77th out of 180 countries, a decline of 12 places since Orbán took power in 2010. “When you have leaders who prioritize loyalty over competence, the system inevitably rewards insiders while ordinary citizens bear the cost,” said Dr. Maria Kovács, a political economist at the Central European University. “The result is a two-tier economy where the rich get richer through sweetheart deals, and the rest struggle with stagnant wages and eroding public services.”
Orbán’s economic policies have drawn particular criticism for benefiting a tight-knit network of oligarchs closely tied to his Fidesz party. A 2024 report by the Budapest-based watchdog group Political Capital found that between 2010 and 2023, nearly 40% of Hungary’s state contracts were awarded to just 50 companies, many owned by Orbán allies. Meanwhile, household debt levels have surged, with the average Hungarian family spending nearly 30% of their income on utility bills—one of the highest rates in the EU. “This isn’t just about political power; it’s about who controls the wealth,” said economist Zoltán Pogátsa. “Orbán’s model ensures that the benefits of growth flow upward, while the rest of the population is left to foot the bill through higher taxes and reduced services.”
Trump’s endorsement of Orbán, delivered during a week of renewed legal troubles for the former president—including a federal indictment in New York—raises fresh questions about the long-term impact of his administration’s legacy on U.S. democracy and global governance. While Trump framed the Budapest gathering as a celebration of “common sense” leadership, former White House ethics counselor Norm Eisen cautioned that such alliances risk normalizing authoritarian tendencies. “When leaders like Trump and Orbán elevate each other, they send a dangerous message that corruption and unchecked power are acceptable tools of governance,” Eisen said. “For the average consumer, that means fewer protections, higher prices, and a system rigged in favor of the wealthy.”
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