Hungarian success in befriending American conservatives on display as Orban faces down possible defeat

From the outside, it may seem strange that American conservatives have taken such an interest in the fate of a Central European country with a population roughly equivalent to that of New Jersey. Right-wing political leaders in Hungary, however, have spent years nurturing relationships with American conservatives through a host of fellowships, conferences, and partnerships to engender that reality.

Now, as Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban faces an electoral challenge that polling suggests could remove him from power on Sunday, scores of American conservatives are pumping out messaging to drum up support for him. Such content follows expensive operations funded by the Hungarian government to build inroads with the American Right.

Hungary has significantly wound down its influence funding since Trump’s first term, and there is no evidence to suggest that it is paying for the recent surge of support it has received from American conservatives. Many American conservatives have come to