MAGA REPUBLICANS DO NOT UNDERSTAND HUNGARY

One interesting aspect of “Trump World” foreign policy has been its recent infatuation with all things related to the small Central European country of Hungary and its Prime Minister, Viktor Orbán. For example, on March 7, Trump invited Orbán to Mar-a-Lago for a well-publicized photo opportunity. A day earlier, Orbán visited the Heritage Foundation, a conservative think tank in Washington, for an event that was closed to the press.

Recently, MAGA Republicans like Arizona’s Representative Paul Gosar and former gubernatorial candidate Kari Lake traveled to Budapest for a conservative conference. Previously, numerous members of the far right media who support Trump, including former Fox News commentator, Tucker Carlson, made the pilgrimage to Hungary to interview the Prime Minister and to praise his achievements.

All of this attention on Hungary by Trump and MAGA Republicans has seemed a bit odd to me. If former Republican president Ronald Reagan were still alive, he would be vigorously denouncing the Hungarian leader. Since coming to power, Orbán has sought to turn Hungary into an intolerant nation. He has resisted the expansion of NATO and additional aid to Ukraine.

Orbán has faced criticism from the European Union for his efforts to undermine democracy in Hungary. His autocratic political machine has weakened the judiciary and stifled independent media. Orbán’s rewriting of the Hungarian constitution has rendered political opposition increasingly powerless. Most troubling to his western European neighbors, Orbán has continued to forge close ties with Russian President Vladimir Putin.

So why are MAGA Republicans so enamored with Orbán? For one thing, Orbán has praised Trump for his first term in office and called for his reelection. As North Korean Leader Kim Jong Un learned about Trump after their meeting in 2019, a few kind words (or love letters) go a long way in making a friend of the former president.

However, the major reason appears to be that MAGA holds up the Central European nation as a model of right-wing, anti-woke governance. Pro-Trump Republicans are envious of Hungary’s anti-immigration, anti-liberal, anti-LGBTQ rights government. They want to copy the blueprint Orbán   has employed to shape Hungary into a nation based on Christian Nationalism. MAGA believes that if Trump were to win a second term, groups like the Heritage Foundation, now preparing to pack the federal government with loyal Trump supporters, could use this technical, legalistic Orbán model to gut American democracy.

Segue to our recent trip to Europe, which began with four days in Budapest, the capital of Hungary. In my short visit to this beautiful city, what I learned from our guides, drivers, and other citizens was far from the picture painted by the Republican far right or from progressive pundits who tend to condemn the country.

First, Hungarians do not want to be identified with anything Russian or German. They are a self-described pessimistic people who had the misfortune to be on the losing side of two world wars. Both Russia and Germany used Hungary to advance their own political agendas with little respect for the people. Orbán may praise Russian president Putin, but the average Hungarian finds him despicable.

Second, important benefits for Hungarian citizens are decidedly socialist rather than MAGA. Our guide told us that there is free health care for all and that the medical system was more than adequate. Attendance at University is free. Young families receive substantial subsidized housing if they agree to have children. Employers often fund social welfare and cultural services to benefit employees and their families. These include free transportation to work, free work clothing, organized meals while at work, and even holiday resorts.

Third, Hungarians are proud of their cultural heritage and national identity. When we ate dinner in the famous Budapest Restaurant, Rosenstein’s, you could sense the deep appreciation for family and community. The recipes go back centuries and have stood the test of time. Hungarian is one of the most complicated languages in the world.  It is also deeply rooted in culture, history, and is a source of self-respect.

Fourth, I did not encounter a love for Orbán authoritarianism, but rather a rugged individualism that cares little about politics. Hungary is not a police state. Citizens are known to bend or ignore government regulations when convenient. Like the Dutch, the citizens pride themselves on ‘being blunt’ in conversation.

Fifth, like many small European Countries, Hungarians place a high value on education, the arts, music, theater, and literature. In Budapest, there are hundreds of cultural events each week. Certainly not the ideal lifestyle for a MAGA American who considers many cultural events as too progressive.

Sixth, Trump’s most overused campaign phrase these days refers to “Biden’s ridiculous electric vehicle debacle.” If the former president were to utter this phrase in Hungary, he would be considered mentally ill. The government supports the second highest growth of electric vehicles in Europe. Domestic demand is encouraged by giving owners of electric vehicles free parking in Budapest. The Hungarian government has provided grants to 2577 businesses to purchase electric vehicles. “Green” license plates promoting environmentally friendly transport are a mark of pride.

Our visit to Hungary taught me several valuable lessons. Most importantly, a nation’s political system does not define its people. Secondly, in order to appreciate the culture of a foreign country, study its history before you go. Lastly, if you are a MAGA Republican seeking to escape progressive America, Hungary will disappoint you.