Vice President JD Vance is scheduled to visit Hungary between April 7-8, just days ahead of the country’s election, to show support for the reelection of Prime Minister Victor Orbán.
The trip dates, which have not previously been reported and which the White House has not made official, were outlined in an excerpt of a State Department cable obtained by POLITICO. The cable’s subject line reads: “Hungary: Scenesetter for Vice President Vance’s April 7-8 Visit to Budapest.” Hungarian elections are set for April 12.
The overt politicking on behalf of any foreign leader runs counter to a long tradition of American administrations generally staying out of other countries’ domestic politics.
But Trump has already endorsed Orbán in a social media post and a video message shown at last week’s CPAC conference in Budapest.
In Trump’s March 24 post, he urged people to “get out and vote” for Orbán, who he called a “truly strong and powerful Leader, with a proven track record of delivering phenomenal results.”
In addition, Vance has long made waves in Europe for his support of far-right parties and at times stinging criticism of more mainstream governing coalitions and alliances.
A State Department spokesperson referred questions to the vice president’s office. Vance’s office did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Generally speaking, senior officials’ travel plans are considered tentative until the final hours.
Vance would be the highest-level U.S. visitor to Hungary since then-President George W. Bush’s trip in June 2006, according to the cable excerpt, which was shared with various parts of the State Department on Wednesday.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio visited Hungary in mid-February.
The cable excerpt obtained by POLITICO does not suggest that Vance will be in Budapest to influence Hungary’s election. But it makes clear the pro-Orban bent of the Trump administration.
For example, the cable states that the “close relationship between President Trump and PM Orban has transformed the prior administration’s confrontational bilateral relationship into what both countries hail as a new ‘golden era’ — a respectful, results-driven partnership focused on deepening defense, commercial, and energy ties.”
It also nods to the belief in Trump and Orban circles that the two countries must work together to rescue Europe from what they view as threats to Western civilization, such as mass migration.
It adds, in writing seemingly addressed to Vance, “With Russia and China vying for influence and a highly contested national election on April 12, your visit sends a clear signal of U.S. commitment, underscoring our shared values and ensuring that Hungary remains not as a crossroads for great-power competition, but as a democratic linchpin firmly allied with the United States, and working for the renewal of our civilizational alliance across Europe.”
Orban has long drawn criticism for his increasingly autocratic 16-year rule. He faces a stiff challenge this time from the opposition Tisza party, led by Peter Magyar.
