Orban’s Triumph: A Toast to Trump’s Victory

For months, Hungary’s media landscape has been saturated with stories that celebrate Donald J. Trump while harshly criticizing Kamala Harris, who was labeled in one headline as “extremely unpleasant.” In a striking display of political enthusiasm, Prime Minister Viktor Orban openly declared that he would “open several bottles of Champagne if Trump is back.” As American voters headed to the polls, a vibrant gathering of Trump supporters convened for a preemptive celebration in Budapest, eagerly anticipating the results.

No foreign leader has invested as heavily in a Trump victory as Orban. A staunch admirer of the president-elect, Mr. Orban has greeted the election results with unrestrained joy. Speaking at a news conference, he remarked that he had “only partly delivered on his promise” regarding the Champagne celebration, as he found himself in Kyrgyzstan when the news broke. Instead, he opted for vodka to “share our joy at this fantastic result.” Orban shared on social media platform X that he had already spoken with the incoming president, adding, “We have big plans ahead.”

This election outcome is significant not just for Orban but also for a wave of populist leaders across Europe, including those in Germany, the Netherlands, Serbia, and beyond. Trump’s return to the White House, with his staunch stance on immigration, sends a potent message to their supporters: history is shifting in their favor, while political adversaries they deride as woke, out-of-touch elitists are losing ground.

“Politically, this is a monumental win for Mr. Orban: He gambled and he won,” stated Zsombor Zeold, a former Hungarian diplomat. He further noted that Trump’s election “definitely puts wind in the sails of Europe’s populist right,” suggesting that this moment could embolden those who share Orban’s ideology across the continent.