Donald Trump Breaks Silence Following Viktor Orbán’s Election Defeat
- 16 Apr 2026 12:42 PM
In his first public comments since the Hungarian elections, Donald Trump addressed the defeat of his long-time ally, Viktor Orbán. Speaking with the Italian daily Corriere della Sera two days after the results, the U.S. President offered a mix of praise for Orbán’s past leadership while notably shifting his tone to the past tense.
Reflections on a Former Ally
When asked if he regretted the outcome of the election, Trump referred to the Hungarian Prime Minister as a friend and "a good person," but he primarily focused on their historical connection. He specifically lauded Orbán’s approach to border control, citing it as a model for national stability.
"He did a good job handling immigration; he did not let people come in and ruin his country, as happened in Italy," Trump remarked during the interview.
Early Impressions of Péter Magyar
The U.S. President also weighed in on the Prime Minister-elect, Péter Magyar. According to ABC News Washington correspondent Jonathan Karl, Trump expressed optimism regarding the incoming leader.
Despite his vocal support for Orbán during the campaign — which included social media endorsements and a call-in appearance at a "Hungarian-American Friendship" event in Budapest — Trump suggested that Magyar is well-positioned for the role.
He noted that because Magyar was formerly part of the Fidesz inner circle, he likely maintains a similar stance on key issues like immigration.
"I think the new man’s going to do a good job — he’s a good man," Trump was quoted as saying, adding his belief that Magyar "is going to be good" for the country.
Jonathan Karl's ful post available here
Campaign Context
The comments mark a pragmatic shift from Trump’s intense campaign-season backing of the Fidesz government. During the final week of the election, Trump had described Orbán as a "truly strong and powerful leader."
When questioned whether his own physical presence in Hungary on April 7 might have altered the election results — rather than sending Vice President JD Vance in his stead — Trump remained non-committal, stating he was unsure if a personal visit would have made a significant difference in the final tally.
MTI Stock Photo
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