🗳️ U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio visited Budapest and publicly backed Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán as he seeks another term in Hungary’s April 12 election. Rubio said President Trump is “deeply committed” to Orbán’s success and argued that Orbán’s leadership matters for U.S. interests 1235789. Rubio also signaled that Washington is open to exploring support if Hungary faces financial strain or other challenges that could threaten stability, casting closer ties as a win for both countries 1.
The endorsement comes as Orbán faces a more competitive race than in recent years. Opposition leader Péter Magyar and his pro-EU Tisza Party are campaigning on a promise to steer Hungary toward a more clearly Western, EU-aligned course 35. The vote also plays out amid long-running EU-Hungary tensions, including Brussels’ decision to withhold funds over concerns such as corruption and democratic backsliding 3.
Sources
- Orban vital for US ‘national interest’ – Rubio [rt.com] (2026-02-16)
- In Hungary, Marco Rubio Stresses Trump’s Support for Viktor Orban [nytimes.com] (2026-02-16)
- US backs Hungary's Orbán as EU backs off [semafor.com] (2026-02-16)
- Rubio visits central Europe to bolster ties with pro-Trump leaders [straitstimes.com] (2026-02-16)
- Rubio plugs Orbán's bid for another term after April elections during a visit to Budapest [allsides.com] (2026-02-16)
- Rubio bolsters Hungary's far-right leader days after push to mend U.S. ties in Europe [pbs.org] (2026-02-16)
- Rubio boosts Orbán's bid for another term during Budapest visit [pbs.org] (2026-02-16)
- Trump committed to Orban’s success in Hungary, Rubio says [theglobeandmail.com] (2026-02-16)
- Rubio praises Orban as U.S. bolsters ties with pro-Trump leaders in Europe [theglobeandmail.com] (2026-02-16)
Highlights
- Competitive race: Orbán, who has led Hungary since 2010, faces what AllSides calls his toughest challenge in 16 years, with Péter Magyar’s pro-EU Tisza Party emerging as the leading opposition force 53.
- EU election posture: Semafor reports Brussels has toned down public criticism of Orbán to avoid looking like it’s intervening in the vote, while still pressuring Hungary through withheld funds tied to governance concerns 3.
- Rule-of-law concerns: PBS says Orbán’s government has tightened control over the media and civil society and weakened judicial independence—moves that have drawn sharp criticism across parts of Europe 6.
- Regional outreach: Rubio’s Central Europe trip included Slovakia and Hungary, pointing to a broader U.S. push to coordinate more closely with friendly governments in the region 4.
I can say to you with confidence that President Trump is deeply committed to your success
— Marco Rubio
Perspectives
U.S. State Department (Rubio): Rubio cast Orbán’s continued leadership as aligned with U.S. national interests and said the U.S. would explore ways to help if Hungary faced financial difficulties or other shocks that could undermine stability.
Hungarian government (Orbán): Orbán accused the pro-EU Tisza Party of acting under Brussels’ influence and using “censorship, intervention, and manipulation” to weaken his government.
Hungarian opposition (Péter Magyar): Magyar is campaigning to restore a more Western direction for Hungary and reset ties with the European Union, including by trying to ease disputes that have strained relations with Brussels.
European Union (reported posture): Brussels has reportedly eased up on public criticism of Orbán to avoid the appearance of election interference, even as it continues to withhold funds over governance concerns.
European officials (via PBS): Two senior European officials told PBS that Rubio’s embrace of Orbán could complicate U.S. efforts to repair ties in Europe, given wider concerns about Hungary’s domestic governance and foreign policy positions.
Historical Background
Viktor Orbán has led Hungary since 2010 and has described his system of governance as an “illiberal state,” a label the New York Times cites in the context of a long-running debate over Hungary’s democratic trajectory 25. PBS says Orbán’s government has drawn criticism for moves affecting media and civil society and for weakening judicial independence. It also reports that Orbán has maintained close ties with Russian President Vladimir Putin—factors that shape how many European officials view his continued rule 6.