BUDAPEST, Feb 16 – U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio has offered one of the strongest public endorsements yet of Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban, saying President Donald Trump views Orban’s political success as directly tied to American strategic interests. Speaking during a high profile visit to Budapest, Rubio framed the U.S. Hungary relationship as entering a new and unusually close phase, one that he suggested depends heavily on Orban remaining in power as the country approaches a crucial parliamentary election in April.
The remarks came at a news conference in the Hungarian capital, where Rubio appeared alongside Orban and praised what he described as a uniquely strong personal and political bond between the Hungarian leader and the U.S. president. The comments immediately drew attention across Europe, as Hungary prepares for an election widely seen as its most competitive since Orban’s Fidesz party first secured power in 2010.
Strong words
Standing next to Viktor Orban, Rubio said President Donald Trump considers Hungary’s stability and leadership continuity essential to U.S. interests in Central Europe. According to Rubio, Trump believes Orban’s leadership has helped align Hungary with Washington on key political and cultural priorities.
“President Trump is deeply committed to your success, because your success is our success,” Rubio said, adding that the United States wants Hungary to prosper, particularly under Orban’s leadership. He described the relationship between the two leaders as more than symbolic, saying it has produced tangible political and economic benefits for both countries.
Rubio went on to characterize current U.S. Hungary relations as the beginning of a “golden era,” crediting not only shared policy views but also the personal rapport between Orban and Trump. He suggested that this level of closeness is rare in transatlantic diplomacy and sets Hungary apart from many of Washington’s other European partners.
The timing of Rubio’s remarks is significant. Hungary is scheduled to hold parliamentary elections on April 12, a vote expected to test Orban’s dominance amid economic strain and a more unified opposition. Analysts in Budapest say Orban faces his toughest electoral challenge since coming to power in 2010, even though his party remains the single strongest political force in the country.
Rubio insisted that the election outcome would ultimately be decided by Hungarian voters. Still, his repeated emphasis on Orban’s relationship with Trump, and the suggestion that U.S. engagement could deepen further if Orban stays in office, was widely interpreted as a clear signal of American preference.
Regional impact
Rubio’s visit to Budapest was part of a broader tour of Central Europe that also included Slovakia. In both countries, the secretary of state met with conservative leaders who share Trump’s skepticism toward the European Union and support stronger national sovereignty. According to senior U.S. officials traveling with Rubio, the trip was intended to reinforce ties with governments that Washington sees as reliable partners at a time of strain with larger Western European allies.
Relations between the United States and parts of Western Europe have been under pressure due to disagreements over trade, defense spending, and foreign policy priorities. Trump’s criticism of European governments, the imposition of tariffs on some EU countries, and his controversial interest in acquiring Greenland from NATO ally Denmark have fueled debate within Europe about reducing reliance on Washington.
Against this backdrop, Hungary has emerged as a favored partner for the Trump administration. Orban has long positioned himself as a champion of nationalist politics, strict immigration controls, and Christian conservative values, themes that resonate strongly with Trump and his supporters. Many figures on the American hard right openly cite Orban as a model for reshaping democratic institutions in line with conservative ideology.
At the same time, Orban’s approach has generated friction within Europe. He has clashed repeatedly with EU institutions over issues ranging from judicial independence to media freedom, accusations his government firmly denies. Hungary has also maintained comparatively cordial ties with Russia and has been critical of Western support for Ukraine, setting it apart from most EU member states since Russia’s invasion in February 2022.
During the Budapest appearance, Rubio acknowledged these differences but focused instead on shared strategic interests. He said Hungary plays an important role in regional stability and argued that maintaining a close bilateral relationship serves U.S. goals in Central and Eastern Europe.
Rubio also hinted that Washington could be open to offering financial assistance to Hungary if economic difficulties worsen. While he did not outline specific mechanisms, he said Trump would be interested in finding ways to help if Hungary faced obstacles to growth or threats to stability, citing the importance of the country and its leadership to U.S. interests.
Hungary’s economy has struggled in recent years, with high inflation following the Ukraine war and sluggish growth persisting since 2022. Orban’s government has responded with tax cuts, wage increases, and subsidized home loans in an effort to boost living standards and shore up voter support. Critics, including some European officials and independent economists, warn these measures have widened the budget deficit and could fuel further inflation.
The election outcome will have implications beyond Hungary’s borders. A renewed Orban mandate would likely embolden conservative and far right movements elsewhere in Europe, many of which already see Hungary as a political reference point. Conversely, a strong showing by the opposition could signal shifting public sentiment in a region where nationalist leaders have dominated for years.
Rubio’s comments, delivered at an official press event covered by international media, underline how closely the Trump administration is watching the Hungarian vote. While framed as support for bilateral relations, his words left little doubt that Washington views Orban personally as a key pillar of its European strategy.