McConnell Slams Republican Praise for Hungary's Viktor Orbán

Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell criticized Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán and Republicans who have become enamored with the leader in a speech on the Senate floor Wednesday.

"I've talked before about Hungary's ten-year move towards the West's most determined foes," McConnell stated. "It's a worrying trend. And nobody — especially not the American conservatives who increasingly form a fan club around Prime Minister Viktor Orbán — can pretend not to notice it."

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While McConnell didn't specifically name Donald Trump, the ex-president and many of his Republican supporters have complimented the authoritarian Hungarian leader, particularly for his positions against immigration and attacks on LGBTQ+ and abortion rights.

The former president has had several meetings with the Hungarian leader, with the most recent one taking place at Mar-a-Lago this summer. During the debate between Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris earlier this month, Trump praised Orbán as "one of the most respected men" and a "strong man."

McConnell scolded the NATO member on Wednesday for its ties with China, Russia and Iran. China was Hungary's biggest investor in 2023 and Hungary borrowed $1 billion from Chinese banks last spring, POLITICO previously reported.

"Hungary's leaders aren't getting close to Moscow, Beijing and Tehran in secret. They're doing it openly and loudly as well," said McConnell.

The minority leader added that Orbán "doesn't just look up to" Russian President Vladimir Putin — "He assists him. His government acts as a shield for Moscow, slowing down European and transatlantic efforts to fight Russia's illegal aggression at every opportunity."

Hungary has previously refused to aid Ukraine in its conflict with Russia, including blocking funding for military support from the European Union for the country earlier this year.

The Senate minority leader also pointed out Hungary's relationship with Iran: "I have little sympathy for Hungarian companies that try to profit from their connections to the murderous regime in Tehran. Of course, that hasn't stopped Hungarian firms from putting tens of millions of dollars into financing shared nuclear projects with Iran."

Orbán and other Hungarian leaders are "gambling" on America's failure and weakness, McConnell argued.

"There's nothing brave about bowing to dictators," he said. "And there's nothing for America's leaders to gain by praising those who do."