Former President Donald Trump met with Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán at his Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida for an hour on Friday night. Following their meeting, the two attended a tribute band concert at a members-only event at the club.
Sources familiar with the matter described the meeting as a “social gathering” with no specific agenda, and characterized it as “friendly.” Orbán had reportedly sought the meeting with Trump and had been planning to be in the US separately.
A statement from Trump’s campaign stated that the discussion revolved around various issues affecting Hungary and the United States, emphasizing the importance of strong and secure borders for national sovereignty.
The White House did not extend an invitation to Orbán to meet with President Joe Biden, and he did not request a meeting during his visit to the US this week. Biden expressed concerns about the meeting between Trump and Orbán, highlighting Orbán’s far-right populism, anti-immigration rhetoric, Christian nationalism, and opposition to LGBTQ rights.
Orbán’s ideology has gained popularity among Trump’s supporters, with Hungary set to host an overseas edition of the Conservative Political Action Conference next month. Biden used Orbán’s visit to make remarks at a rally in Pennsylvania, condemning Orbán’s views on democracy and emphasizing the importance of defending democracy.
The Biden administration has not commented on the meeting between Trump and Orbán. The encounter comes as both politicians look ahead to the 2024 elections.