"Trump's Meeting with Hungary's Orbán: A Glimpse into Second-Term Strongman Alliances"

Former President Donald Trump met with Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, continuing his embrace of autocratic leaders who champion illiberal democracy, restrictions on immigration and LGBTQ+ rights, and crackdowns on the press and judiciary. Orbán's visit comes amid his ongoing battle against the European Union and international nonprofits criticizing his erosion of Hungary's democracy, and his alignment with U.S. conservatives trying to oust President Joe Biden in November. The meeting reflects Trump's continued embrace of authoritarians and conservative populists, as Orbán becomes a hero to Christian conservatives for his hardline stances, much like Trump.