In Hungary, Marco Rubio Stresses Trump’s Support for Viktor Orban

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio affirmed in Budapest on Wednesday that President Donald Trump remains 'deeply committed' to supporting Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban, whose government has promoted an 'illiberal state' model. The high-level diplomatic visit marked a significant demonstration of the Trump administration's alignment with Orban's controversial governance approach, which has drawn criticism from European allies and human rights organizations. During his remarks, Rubio emphasized the strategic importance of the U.S.-Hungary relationship while explicitly acknowledging Orban's political philosophy. Orban has previously boasted of creating an 'illiberal state' that rejects what he calls liberal Western values, instead promoting national conservatism and traditionalism. The Secretary of State's statements represent a notable departure from previous U.S. administrations' approach to Hungary, which had expressed concerns about democratic backsliding under Orban's leadership since 2010.