Prime Minister Viktor Orbán is complimented by Donald Trump as one of the “strongest leaders in Europe” during the 2024 US presidential debate. The Hungarian leader has emerged as the unlikely hero for Trump and his supporters, romanticised for his 15-year rule over Hungary and embraced for his populist politics.
Not many world leaders so openly admire Orbán’s model of governance, yet, Trump is increasingly turning to the Hungarian leader’s strategies as means to deal with his own run-ins with American democracy.
Protection Against Criticism
Public image is everything, and Trump has faced his share of media criticism in light of on going legal proceedings. Trump needs more than catch phrases to squash so called ‘fake news’. Rather, Trump has threatened media outlets which criticised him in the run up to his second Presidential term, looking to punish news channels through lawsuits for their refusal to align with his politics.
These tactics mirror long pursued strategies in Hungary, which have already led to government-allied control over media bodies and regulatory councils. Orbán’s government has withheld independent news channels of financial entitlements, pushed them out of public announcements, and funnelled resources into pro-government media through preferential treatment and financial favouritism.
For both leaders, the best bet against criticism is to limit media pluralism and ultimately crush those that attempt to keep their governments accountable.
Meanwhile, Republicans officials and right-wing media activists gather at CPAC conferences in Budapest. Their topic of discussion? Media support and political victory and why a land locked country in central Europe might just be the best model for Trump’s America moving forward.
Vilified Outsider
The threat of outsiders, usually embodied as immigrants, has proven critical for accessing key segments of the voter base. More and more, western leaders depend on scare tactics that play on anti-migrate sentiments to appeal to voters that usually are not concerned with the outcome of elections.
Orbán for instance, presents himself as the last ‘defender of Christian values’ and Trump famously promises to build the wall! Clearly, both leaders fan up the flames of the immigration crisis for political advantage, demonising immigrants as the greatest threat to the country. When these rhetorics are accepted, or at least normalised in day to day politics, it’s purpose is more often than not to legitimise legislation that bypasses democracy and the guarantee of rights.
When these attacks become institutionalised, they are even used to justify attacks on the rule of law, like seen in Hungary. The shift in American politics to an Orbán-style populism is dangerous for the already vilified immigrant in America, especially considering how much Trump relies on the embodiment of the immigrant as the greatest threat to America. Immigration, whilst clearly important for a large proportion of the voter base, is aggressively hijacked to push certain narratives that support specific political objectives for both Orbán and more so than ever for Trump.
Ring of the Rich
Business and political power are closely related to politicians who rely on networks of wealthy elites for financial backing and campaign success. In return, the same business people often are rewarded with access to decision-making and influence across government policy.
Trump’s political fundraising efforts are expected to pay back those who have provided substantial contributions, many of whom prefer key appointments in government or influence over policy decisions than just more money.
Similarly, data collected on public procurement in Hungary reveal a substantial portion of public contracts are awarded to businesses closely tied to Orbán’s inner circle.
| Company / Owner | Total Contracts Won (2018–2020) (HUF Billion) | Net Revenue (2021) (HUF Billion) | Profit After Tax (2021) (HUF Billion) | Political Connections |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Duna Aszfalt Ltd. (László Szíjj) | 626.5 | 252.1 | 20.4 | Linked to Orbán’s close circles |
| Mészáros & Mészáros Ltd. (Lőrinc Mészáros) | 171.7 | 58.0 | 4.9 | Orbán’s childhood friend |
| ZÁÉV Ltd. (Szíjj & Mészáros) | 158.7 | 80.7 | 12.3 | Linked to major state projects |
| B+N Referencia Ltd. | 201.8 | 122.9 | 18.6 | Close to government, key contracts |
| Gyula Balásy (Owner) | 254.2 | – | – | Government-linked media contracts |
In Hungary, the intertwining of business people and government has largely determined how public money is spent. In America, business people are too taking over public institutions and using them to serve private interests. In both cases, the reach of business has far outweighed the interests of the public good.
Trump’s admiration for Orbán isn’t just rhetorical. By embracing the Hungarian leader’s playbook, he signals a willingness to erode democratic safeguards in pursuit of unchecked power. The question isn’t whether Trump wants Orbán-like control; it’s whether America will let him have it.