U.S. Vice President JD Vance delivered remarks at a “Day of Friendship” event in Hungary on Tuesday to “help” Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán ahead of this weekend’s election.
At the start of his speech, Vance called President Donald Trump, with Trump describing Orbán as “a fantastic guy.”
“I’m a big fan of Viktor. I’m with him all the way. The United States is with him all the way,” Trump said over the phone to a crowd in Budapest.”Remember this, he didn’t allow people to storm your country and invade your country like other people have,” the president added, noting Orbán’s immigration policies.
With polls showing a tight race, Orbán has leaned on high-profile allies like Trump and Vance as he campaigns for reelection.
Vance’s two-day visit comes as Orbán seeks a fifth consecutive term. Orbán faces a competitive race against a center-right challenger, Péter Magyar, whose Tisza party has gained ground in polls.
BUDAPEST, HUNGARY – APRIL 7: U.S. Vice President JD Vance meets with Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban on April 7, 2026 in Budapest, Hungary. Vance is supporting Orban’s bid for reelection in Hungarian parliamentary elections scheduled for April 12. (Photo by Jonathan Ernst – Pool/Getty Images)
Vance said he wanted to “help as much as I possibly can” before the vote, which is set for Sunday.
“We have got to get Viktor Orbán re-elected as prime minister,” Vance said.”I’m here because President Trump and I wish for your success and we are fighting right here with you,” Vance later added, noting that Americans admire the people of Hungary.”We want you to make a decision about your future with no outside forces pressuring you or telling you what to do. I’m not telling you who to vote for, but what I am telling you is that the bureaucrats in Brussels — those people should not be listened to. Listen to your hearts, listen to your souls, and listen to the sovereignty of the Hungarian people,” Vance said.
U.S. Vice President JD Vance shakes hands with Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban as they meet in Budapest, Hungary, Tuesday, April 7, 2026. (AP Photo/Denes Erdos)
Orbán has previously criticized outside involvement in Hungary’s elections, accusing European Union leaders of interfering by supporting his opponents.
But Vance pushed back, criticizing the EU for what he described as undue influence while expressing confidence Orbán would prevail.
Orbán, a close Trump ally who has been in power for 16 years, thanked Vance and the Trump administration for accepting his invitation to visit Hungary.
“We have a saying in Hungary. ‘A man is best characterized by his friends.’ We are very happy and very grateful to the divine powers that be that we have such an important man as our friend,” Orbán said.
Hungary has also diverged from many EU countries on foreign policy, maintaining close ties with Russia and declining to provide military support to Ukraine, positions that have further shaped the political landscape ahead of the vote.
Trump has repeatedly endorsed Orbán’s candidacy for reelection, and many in the Make America Great Again movement approve of the Hungarian leader’s opposition to immigration, curtailing of LGBTQ+ rights, and capture of the media and academia.
But with most independent polls showing a double-digit deficit for Fidesz among decided voters ahead of the April 12 vote, Orbán has sought to boost his profile by appearing publicly with his international admirers.
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EDITOR’S NOTE: The Associated Press contributed to this report.