Vice President Vance Backs Authoritarian Orbán in Hungary, Undermining Democracy
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U.S. Vice President JD Vance travels to Budapest to prop up Viktor Orbán's increasingly authoritarian regime ahead of Hungary's April 12 election.
U.S. Vice President JD Vance arrived in Budapest on Tuesday for a two-day visit that starkly signals the Trump administration's willingness to support Viktor Orbán’s anti-democratic re-election campaign. Vance’s itinerary includes official meetings with Orbán and participation in a campaign rally, making clear the administration’s disregard for democratic norms in favor of backing a leader notorious for eroding Hungary’s democratic institutions ahead of the April 12 parliamentary elections.
Orbán, who has clung to power since 2010, now faces a real challenge from the center-right Tisza party led by Péter Magyar. Recent polls reveal that Orbán’s Fidesz party is trailing by double digits among decided voters, a sign that Hungarians may be ready to reject his illiberal rule.
Orbán’s tenure has been marred by credible accusations of undermining democratic institutions and suppressing press freedom—allegations he continues to deny despite mounting evidence. Nevertheless, he remains a central figure in the global far-right movement, emboldened by President Donald Trump’s repeated endorsements, which praise Orbán’s hardline stances on immigration and draconian media control.
Vance’s visit follows U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio’s trip to Budapest in February, where Rubio also lauded Orbán and stressed the administration’s strong ties with his government, further normalizing authoritarianism on the world stage.
The vice president’s active participation in Orbán’s campaign events represents a dangerous break from traditional diplomatic norms, highlighting the Trump administration’s willingness to undermine democracy abroad by openly supporting like-minded autocrats.