Trump Welcomes 'Fantastic' Orban to Mar-a-Lago

Biden, who didn't invite Hungary's leader to meet, criticizes the talks
By Bob Cronin,  Newser Staff
Posted Mar 9, 2024 3:15 PM CST
Trump Welcomes 'Fantastic' Orban to Mar-a-Lago
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban speaks at the Antalya Diplomacy Forum in Antalya, Turkey, on March 1.   (AP Photo/Khalil Hamra)

Donald Trump rolled out a red carpet—or employees did—for Viktor Orban at his Florida home, as well as Hungarian flags, welcoming the prime minister with effusive praise. "There's nobody that's better, smarter or a better leader than Viktor Orban," Trump told a gathering later Friday at Mar-a-Lago. "He's fantastic." The remarks were captured in videos posted to Orban's Instagram account, CNN reports. Orban, who has endorsed Trump's presidential candidacy, in turn posted on X: "We need leaders in the world who are respected and can bring peace. He is one of them! Come back and bring us peace, Mr. President!"

Orban's trip was a rare instance of a world leader not meeting with the sitting president while in the US, per the Washington Post. The autocrat spoke in Washington on Thursday to the Heritage Foundation, which is closely connected to Trump politically. Unlike his two immediate predecessors, Trump welcomed Orban to the White House during his term. President Biden attacked Trump over the visit while campaigning on Friday. "You know who he's meeting with today, down in Mar-a-Lago? Orban of Hungary, who stated flatly he doesn't think democracy works—he's looking for dictatorship," the president told a rally, adding, "I see a future where we defend democracy, not diminish it."

Trump, Orban, and their aides met for about an hour, per CNN. The Trump campaign said they discussed "a wide range of issues affecting Hungary and the United States, including the paramount importance of strong and secure borders to protect the sovereignty of each nation." Orban accompanied his host to a concert at Mar-a-Lago by Beatles and Rolling Stones tribute bands and the Palm Beach Symphony. Online videos show him presenting former first lady Melania Trump with a large bouquet of flowers while "Oh, Pretty Woman" was played. (More Donald Trump stories.)

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