The partnership between Viktor Orbán and Donald Trump poses a threat to a unified Europe. Orbán's reliance on the former American president, rooted in his pursuit of historical revisionism, is pivotal for his political trajectory. Orbán's political future hinges on the possibility of Trump’s return to the White House.
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán became Donald Trump's alter ego, exhibiting similar tendencies towards megalomania, disdain for democracy and freedoms, and a desire for unchecked authority over his nation.
Orbán's presence in the European Union serves as a test of endurance for the bloc, questioning its tolerance for a leader aligned with the Russian regime, leveraging European laws to advance Putin's interests in Europe.
Under Orbán's leadership, Hungary has transitioned into a society where authoritarianism is normalized, evident in his obstruction of aid to Ukraine under the guise of promoting peace in Europe and ending the Russian-Ukrainian conflict. This stance, in collaboration with Donald Trump, actively undermines Ukraine's efforts to combat Russian aggression and reclaim its internationally recognized territories from occupation.
It's notable that Donald Trump chose to meet with Viktor Orbán at his Mar-a-Lago estate rather than going to Hungary, giving the impression of his influence on world affairs. Orbán, meeting with Trump, also appeared to act as an envoy for Putin, whose interests he has long represented internationally.
Trump, having aligned himself politically with Orbán, seeks his assistance in bolstering his position in Europe. Orbán's audacity is demonstrated by meeting with a private individual as the leader of Hungary, while disregarding meetings with representatives of the current US administration under President Joe Biden.
Clearly, not everyone comprehends the impact of Viktor Orbán's governance on Hungary.
His tenure has seen a deterioration in the country's conditions, marked by the erosion of freedoms, closures of universities, suppression of dissenting voices, and rampant corruption.
For instance, Hungarian parks' cobblestones are laid with stone from his family's stone business, and much of the Hungarian media operates in support of Orbán's government.
Orbán's recent peculiar meeting at Trump's Florida estate in Mar-a-Lago appears to be the rendezvous of two Kremlin agents aiding Putin in Ukraine's genocide. They seemingly endorse the Russian Federation's occupation of Ukrainian territories since the faster Russia occupies Ukraine, the faster "peace" comes. This "Trumporban" alliance implies solidarity with Putin's efforts to reshape the world order in Russia's favor.
Trump views Orban, Putin, and Kim Jong Un as soulmates. While he doesn't explicitly state, as the Hungarian prime minister does, that Ukraine is incapable of sovereignty, his actions, such as withholding aid, suggest otherwise.
Supporting Putin's efforts against Ukrainian statehood, Orban and Trump align themselves with the axis of evil, alongside Russia, Iran, China, and North Korea. Do Trump's supporters realize that by backing him for the White House, they advocate for a totalitarian world order?
Trump's affinity for Orbán highlights his admiration, perhaps envy, for authoritarian regimes that disregard their citizens' opinions. The fact that Trump and Putin respect Orbán underscores their shared enthusiasm for usurping power undemocratically.
Trump, alongside fake conservatives in the MAGA wing of Congress, is being demagogic for blocking aid to Ukraine, since it also includes provisions for Israel and Taiwan.
Donald Trump, who has long portrayed himself as a strong supporter of Israel, while also withholding aid to Ukraine, Israel, and Taiwan, appears to have used his purported support for Israel solely for political gain.
Isn't it evident that this despot from Mar-a-Lago is not only against Ukraine but also harbors hidden anti-Semitic sentiments, despite his attempts to present himself as a staunch advocate for Israel?
It's noteworthy that Trump's political ally, Viktor Orbán, rehabilitated Miklós Horthy, the regent of Hungary from 1920 to 1944, who was a known anti-Semite and Hitler supporter. Orbán couldn't have been unaware that over half a million Jews were deported from Hungary to Nazi concentration camps during World War II.
Orbán, Putin, and Trump pose a threat to Western civilization. Hungary's potential exit from the European Union and NATO could significantly weaken their alliance. While Orbán remains in power, it may be prudent to consider suspending Hungary's membership in NATO and the EU. The risk lies in the possibility of sensitive information obtained by Orbán quickly reaching Putin's hands.
From exerting influence over the GOP faction in the House of Representatives to hosting autocratic leaders, Trump continues to wield power in his own realm. In his alternate reality, he appears to believe he can act with impunity, without facing consequences.
Recently, Tucker Carlson traveled to Moscow for an interview with Putin. However, the authenticity of this "interview" was questionable, and Carlson himself seemed to make little effort to present it as serious journalism.
What if Carlson's true purpose was to deliver a letter from Trump to Putin, asking for help in raising funds to pay a nearly half-billion-dollar fine in New York? Did Orban deliver Putin's response to Trump? If so, it all makes sense. With the ex-president deeply in debt, he becomes susceptible to bribes from foreign governments.
Moving such a large sum of money globally without detection would be challenging. To transfer money to Donald Trump while concealing its source, intermediaries like Viktor Orbán would be necessary. The Hungarian prime minister serves as a convenient link between Trump and Putin, facilitating the secret transfer of funds to address Trump's legal woes. Thus, it's crucial to monitor the money destined to arrive soon to the former US president for his legal expenses.
Viktor Orbán is so intent on being among the winners that he disregards the possibility of losing. Leading a small Eastern European country, he seeks to assert his uniqueness and importance by immersing himself in political ventures that could have been avoided.
Hungary, under Viktor Orbán, receives €21.91 billion in EU subsidies, compared to €0.55 billion for Denmark and €1.19 billion for Ireland. Without EU subsidies, Hungary would face immediate financial ruin, akin to Trump's businesses.
While the Hungarian prime minister attempts to reshape EU laws in his favor, Donald Trump undermines NATO country sovereignty and continues to redefine American values. And who knows who the next visitor to his Florida residence might be, perhaps another controversial world leader like Slovakia's Prime Minister, Robert Fico. So the former US president can signal his return to global politics.
By meeting with former US President Donald Trump, who no longer holds official office, Viktor Orbán has openly involved himself in American domestic politics during a presidential election year. The Hungarian Prime Minister conducted himself as if it were a formal state visit, despite being at Mar-a-Lago rather than the White House.
If this trend continues, it's conceivable that Donald Trump will eventually conduct national security briefings at his Florida estate. He currently behaves as if he's leading a government in exile, and expects his actions to be seen as normal political behavior.
Ironically, Donald Trump is utilizing the democratic system he hates to his advantage. Through exercising free speech and pursuing legal challenges, he presents America with a challenging dilemma. Mishandling the situation could lead to disastrous consequences for our civilization. With World War II still fresh in memory, Trump's actions serve as a warning: failure to learn from history guarantees its repetition.
About the author. Viktor Kaspruk, journalist
The editors do not always share the opinions expressed by the blog authors.