With President Donald Trump back in office, major changes are unfolding. His administration is axing USAID, long criticized for its role in foreign meddling. Billionaire Elon Musk didn’t mince words when he declared on X, “USAID is a criminal organization. Time for it to die.”
The agency’s website is down, its social media presence wiped, and key officials have been placed on leave after refusing Musk access to internal systems.
Trump’s crackdown on wasteful spending isn’t just about cutting costs—it’s about reining in U.S. interference abroad. A 90-day freeze on foreign aid is in effect, with expectations of sweeping cuts to follow. Hungary, for one, welcomes the shift. Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó called it a “new era in geopolitics,” stressing that Europe must take charge of its own security rather than relying on Washington. Hungary already meets NATO’s defense spending target of 2% GDP, but Trump has made it clear—he wants allies to commit to 5%, stirring unease across Europe.
Meanwhile, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán is charting a bold course for 2025. In a recent interview, he promised economic revitalization, wage hikes, and stronger global partnerships. With Germany’s economy struggling, Hungary is looking east—to China, South Korea, and the Arab world—for fresh opportunities. “We won’t be trapped in a declining European economy,” Orbán asserted.
The move to dismantle USAID has already impacted Hungary directly. A $440,000 funding cut has hit so-called “independent” media, raising questions about their actual independence. Balázs Orbán, the PM’s political director, was quick to point out the irony: If these outlets rely on U.S. government funding, how impartial can they really be?
The rapid shake-up isn’t going unnoticed. Trump’s allies, including his son Donald Jr., had long criticized the U.S. ambassador to Hungary, David Pressman, for interfering in domestic politics. Now, Pressman is out, and Hungary is turning the page. The U.S. is shifting focus inward, and Hungary is seizing the moment to forge its own path.
The world is watching—change is happening fast.
