U.S. Vice President JD Vance lashed out on Tuesday at what he called "disgraceful" European Union interference in Hungary's election, even as he openly endorsed Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, a close ally of both President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin, days before the vote.
Vance's visit to Budapest came ahead of Sunday's election, which independent public opinion polls show Orbán is likely to lose. The trip - and the rare endorsement by a sitting U.S. official - underscored how crucial President Donald Trump deems the veteran Hungarian nationalist's reelection.
The visit broke with the norms of prior U.S. presidential administrations of not openly campaigning in foreign elections, especially for a government that has maintained close ties with Putin. It was not immediately clear whether Vance's public support would strengthen Orbán's candidacy.
Nonetheless, the trip cast Vance in what has become a familiar role - scolding Brussels at a time of increasing transatlantic tension over Trump's war on Iran, criticism of Ukraine, threats to withdraw from the NATO alliance and stated desire to take control of Greenland from Denmark.
"What has happened in the midst of this election campaign is one of the worst examples of foreign election interference that I've ever seen or ever even read about," Vance told a press conference.
"The bureaucrats in Brussels have tried to destroy the economy of Hungary. They have tried to make Hungary less energy-independent. They have tried to drive up costs for Hungarian consumers, and they've done it all because they hate this guy (Orbán)."
Since Russia invaded Ukraine, the EU has tried to drastically cut its use of Russian oil and gas, a shift Budapest has staunchly resisted.
A European Commission spokesperson said, "Going back to importing from Russia - a greatly unreliable supplier that is waging an atrocious war against Ukraine - would be a strategic mistake."
"Elections are the sole choice of the citizens," the spokesperson added.
Vance has previously drawn criticism in Europe, notably with a 2025 speech in Munich that accused many of the continent's governments of censoring free speech and failing to control immigration.
Vance's visit drew a warning about "foreign interference" in Hungary from Orbán's challenger, Peter Magyar, whose centre-right Tisza party is tipped by independent pollsters to defeat Orbán's Fidesz.
"This is our country," Magyar wrote on X. "Hungarian history is not written in Washington, Moscow, or Brussels - it is written in Hungary's streets and squares."
Vance, who joined Orbán at a campaign rally that opened with a performance of the U.S. national anthem, "The Star-Spangled Banner," telephoned Trump from the podium and reached him on the second try. Vance held his cellphone to the microphone as Trump endorsed Orbán for doing "a fantastic job."
The U.S. vice president described the alliance between the two leaders as "moral cooperation" and told the audience that "we want you to make a decision about your future with no outside forces pressuring you or telling you what to do.”
Orbán, fighting the toughest reelection bid of his career after 16 years in power, hailed what he called "a golden age" in relations between Hungary and the U.S. under Trump's leadership.
Vance at times appeared more confident in Orbán's electoral chances than the Hungarian leader. At one moment during a joint press conference before the rally, Vance predicted Orbán's victory, but Orbán waggled his hand and raised his eyebrows, appearing to acknowledge that he might lose.
Orban's self-described "illiberal democracy" mirrors key themes of Trump-era America: hardline anti-immigration policies, disdain for liberal norms, hostility toward global institutions, and attacks on the media, universities and nonprofit groups. He was the first European leader to endorse Trump during his 2016 presidential bid.
Orbán has long been at loggerheads with the EU over a range of issues, including Ukraine. He has refused to send weapons to Ukraine, has blocked a 90-billion-euro loan package from the EU to Kyiv and says Ukraine can never join the bloc.
He has also accused the EU and Ukraine of seeking to meddle in Sunday's election and says Ukraine wants to disrupt Hungary's energy supply, something Kyiv denies.
Vance said on Tuesday that "elements within the Ukrainian intelligence services" were trying "to put their thumb on the scale" of U.S. and Hungarian elections, without providing evidence.
European officials and some governments have criticised what they say is Hungary’s erosion of democratic norms and suppression of nongovernmental organisations.
Orbán has maintained cordial ties with Moscow despite the Ukraine war and says Russian energy is essential for Hungary.
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