President Donald Trump stunned political observers and analysts on Thursday by officially endorsing Hungarian dictator Viktor Orbán for reelection.
Trump posted on Truth Social that Orbán is a "truly strong and powerful Leader, with a proven track record of delivering phenomenal results" and urged voters to support him during the April 12 election. Trump's post came at a time when Orbán, who has been in office for the past 16 years, is facing one of his toughest reelection bids yet.
"Viktor works hard to Protect Hungary, Grow the Economy, Create Jobs, Promote Trade, Stop Illegal Immigration, and Ensure LAW AND ORDER!" Trump wrote on Truth Social. "Relations between Hungary and the United States have reached new heights of cooperation and spectacular achievement under my Administration, thanks largely to Prime Minister Orbán. I look forward to continuing working closely with him so that both of our Countries can further advance this tremendous path to SUCCESS and cooperation."
Political analysts and observers reacted to the endorsement on social media.
"Bizarre and inappropriate," writer Zaid Jilani posted on X.
"No American president in history has campaigned this hard for a politician in an allied democracy," Matt Welch, editor at large for Reason Magazine, posted on X.
"'Be sure to attend the Budapest caucuses,'" journalist Michael McGough quipped on X.
"We should not be directly interfering in another country’s election to this extent. It’s fine to have a preference, but this goes way too far. Ironically, though, this may only hurt Orban’s re-election chances as other countries Trump interfered w/ have seen blowback from it," attorney Blake Allen posted on X.