Washington – ‘Like Me, A Little Controversial’: Trump Praises Hungary’s Anti-immigration PM Orban

    7

    U.S. President Donald Trump greets Hungary's Prime Minister Viktor Orban in the Oval Office at the White House in Washington, U.S., May 13, 2019. REUTERS/Carlos BarriaWashington – U.S. President Donald Trump praised Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban on Monday, describing him as “like me, a little controversial,” and brushing off concerns about threats to democratic norms in Hungary during Orban’s tenure.

    Join our WhatsApp group

    Subscribe to our Daily Roundup Email


    Welcoming the right-wing Hungarian leader for a meeting in the Oval Office, Trump lauded him for being tough on immigration, a policy area in which the two leaders have similar visions.

    “He’s a respected man. And I know he’s a tough man, but he’s a respected man,” Trump said, when asked whether he had concerns about a weakening of democracy in Hungary.

    “He’s done the right thing, according to many people, on immigration. And you look at some of the problems that they have in Europe that are tremendous because they’ve done it a different way than the prime minister,” said Trump, who is often accused by critics of being too close to authoritarian leaders.

    Orban, a nationalist, has often had conflicts with the European Union over his anti-immigration campaigns and judicial reforms.

    He clashed with the administration of former U.S. President Barack Obama, a Democrat, over what critics said was an erosion of democratic values by his government.

    Trump has also pushed what critics consider an anti-immigrant policy agenda, calling for a wall on the U.S. border with Mexico and banning travelers from several Muslim-majority countries at the beginning of his time in office.

    Orban noted that his government had been elected several times.

    “From the people, by the people, for the people. This is the basis for the Hungarian government,” he said, adding, when pressed about the issue: “We have a new constitution accepted in 2011 and it’s functioning well.”

    He said Hungary was proud to stand with the United States on “fighting against illegal migration” and other issues.

    Senior Republican and Democratic members of the U.S. Congress told Trump in a letter on Friday they were concerned about Hungary’s “downward democratic trajectory” and its close relationship with Russia. Hungary is a NATO ally.

    Trump is often accused of cozying up to autocratic leaders. He has sought a close relationship with Russian President Vladimir Putin despite Russian meddling in the 2016 election and has praised his own relationship with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, with whom he has held summits in Singapore and Vietnam.

    Trump projected an air of kinship with Orban.

    “Highly respected. Respected all over Europe,” Trump said. “Probably, like me, a little bit controversial, but that’s okay. That’s okay. You’ve done a good job and you’ve kept your country safe.”


    Listen to the VINnews podcast on:

    iTunes | Spotify | Google Podcasts | Stitcher | Podbean | Amazon

    Follow VINnews for Breaking News Updates


    Connect with VINnews

    Join our WhatsApp group


    7 Comments
    Most Voted
    Newest Oldest
    Inline Feedbacks
    View all comments
    4 years ago

    I agree with Orban’s keeping the Muslims and Arab immigrants out pf Hungary. Hungary has not experienced the horrible problems which have afflicted Germany, Britain, France, Denmark, Norway, and Sweden, which admitted millions of Muslims. Instead of those Muslims being grateful that they are in Europe, they consider Europeans infidels, and engage in attacks upon native Europeans, including attacks on women. Hungary saw the handwriting on the wall, and made a correct decision to keep those miscreants out. I wish the phony politicians in this country, had the backbone, to have done the same thing. We have enough problems here, without admitting savages, who still engage in honor killing, and who hate westerners.

    hashomer
    hashomer
    4 years ago

    This rasha Orban is an overt alt-fascist who has made his mark by building statues and memorials to Jew killers in the Churban, is visciously anti-Jewish and anti-democracy and is personally corrupt. Another good fiend of trump. This is where he’s heading, toward the fascism and hate that nearly destroyed us during the war. It makes ‘never again’ a joke.

    4 years ago

    The fake news is going nuts like oy vey it’s so terrible to be an autocrate? Who says democracy is only the safe way? Maybe a mixture of dictatorship and democracy works best? I still hear the fake news criticizing Egypt and al sisi. Like really you think AL Sisi is wrong ? The brotherhood is better? Al sisi should allows free speech and terrorists to exist? Are they crazy and completely off their rocker ? This hunk is a smart one m. Good for him and thank you mr president for supporting food strong leaders