Rubio Wraps Hungary’s Orban in US Embrace Before Tight Election

WATCH: “President Trump is deeply committed to your success,” Rubio tells Orban.Source: Bloomberg

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By Eric Martin, Marton Kasnyik, and Andras Gergely

February 16, 2026 at 11:14 AM UTC

Updated on

February 16, 2026 at 4:06 PM UTC

Secretary of State Marco Rubio showered Viktor Orban with praise on a visit to Hungary as the US doubled down on its support for the strongman leader before an election that could bring an end to his 16 years in power.

Speaking in Budapest on Monday, Rubio pledged that Donald Trump would provide assistance if Hungary ever ran into financial trouble and touted personal rapport between the two leaders.