Steve Bannon, former adviser to Donald Trump, believes Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán is the ideal figure to bridge the gap between the president-elect and Brussels. Calling Orbán “the most MAGA” leader in Europe, Bannon emphasized that Orbán aligns closely with the principles of Trump’s movement.
While names like France’s Marine Le Pen, the U.K.’s Nigel Farage, and Italy’s Giorgia Meloni have been floated as potential mediators, Orbán’s name stands out. Former Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki also mentioned Orbán and Meloni as contenders, but Bannon expressed doubts about Meloni’s commitment to Trump’s agenda.
“You claim to be a right-wing woman? Prove it—not just on cultural issues but in areas like war, money, and power,” Bannon remarked in an interview with Corriere della Sera. He further accused Meloni of aligning with globalist interests.
Interestingly, Meloni has been in the spotlight for her budding alliance with Elon Musk, a key adviser to Trump in forming his cabinet. However, questions remain about the longevity of the Trump-Musk partnership.
According to an associate of Bannon, Orbán’s unwavering public and private support for Trump has cemented a strong personal rapport between the two leaders. This makes Orbán a natural choice for navigating Europe-U.S. relations under Trump’s leadership. The Hungarian prime minister has had multiple phone conversations with Trump since his re-election and has even visited him at Mar-a-Lago.
Serving as Trump’s mediator could significantly boost Orbán’s clout within the European Union, where Hungary has recently faced major financial setbacks. The country was penalized with a €200 million fine, daily penalties of €1 million, and the loss of €1 billion in EU aid for defying Brussels’ migration policies.
Orbán’s potential role as the go-to liaison between Trump and Brussels might not only solidify Hungary’s influence but also help mend strained ties with the EU.
