Why the White House's glowing invitation to Hungary's Viktor Orban is drawing scrutiny

The White House on Tuesday confirmed that Hungary's Prime Minister Viktor Orban would be visiting next week. Oddly, it didn't mention Orban's blatantly authoritarian tendencies.
In its Tuesday statement, the White House said Trump and Orban would "discuss ways to deepen cooperation on ... trade, energy, and cybersecurity" and also "celebrate Hungary's 20th anniversary as a NATO member." Yet the fact that Orban has said Europe is "under invasion" by migrants, or that he is ruling a self-described "alternative to liberal democracy," do not seem to be on the table. Neoconservative commentator Bill Kristol also noted in a tweet that "Orban is also big on not being held accountable by the legal system, avoiding legislative oversight, and attacking an independent judiciary and a free media."
The Orban announcement comes the same morning that Secretary of State Mike Pompeo canceled a Tuesday meeting with German Prime Minister Angela Merkel. Pompeo chalked the cancellation up to "pressing issues," though given that Merkel has some pretty obvious issues with Orban, it's hard not to notice the coincidence.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
In other international controversies, Trump is also continuing trade talks with China this week even as the country's alleged human rights abuses against the Uighur Muslim minority become more apparent. While Trump has promised to up tariffs on the country later this week, but hasn't brought up those violations or publicly considered sanctioning China for them.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Kathryn is a graduate of Syracuse University, with degrees in magazine journalism and information technology, along with hours to earn another degree after working at SU's independent paper The Daily Orange. She's currently recovering from a horse addiction while living in New York City, and likes to share her extremely dry sense of humor on Twitter.
-
Today's political cartoons - March 8, 2025
Cartoons Saturday's cartoons - trade wars, healthcare costs, and more
By The Week US Published
-
Marbled tea eggs recipe
The Week Recommends With a beautiful exterior, these eggs are also marked by their soft yolk
By The Week UK Published
-
The Washington Post: kowtowing to Trump?
Talking Point The newspaper's opinion editor has handed in his notice following edict from Jeff Bezos
By The Week UK Published
-
Trump eases Mexico, Canada tariffs again as markets slide
speed read The president suspended some of the 25% tariffs he imposed on Mexican and Canadian imports
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
Trump tells Cabinet they are in charge of layoffs, not Musk
Speed Read The White House has faced mounting complaints about DOGE's sweeping cuts
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Rep. Sylvester Turner dies, weeks after joining House
Speed Read The former Houston mayor and longtime state legislator left behind a final message for Trump: 'Don't mess with Medicaid'
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Trump pauses Ukraine intelligence sharing
Speed Read The decision is intended to pressure Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy into peace negotiations with Vladimir Putin
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Supreme Court rules against Trump on aid freeze
Speed Read The court rejected the president's request to freeze nearly $2 billion in payments for foreign humanitarian work
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
Trump touts early wins in partisan speech to Congress
Speed Read The president said he is 'just getting started' with his sweeping changes to immigration, the economy and foreign policy
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Trudeau blasts Trump's 'very dumb' trade war
Speed Read Retaliatory measures have been announced by America's largest trading partners following Trump's tariffs on Canada, Mexico and China
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
Trump pauses military aid to Ukraine after public spat
Speed Read Trump and J.D. Vance berated Volodymyr Zelenskyy for what they saw as insufficient gratitude
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published