Trump says US ready to aid Hungary with 'full economic might' if Orban wins re-election

US President Donald Trump said Friday that his administration is prepared to aid Hungary economically if Prime Minister Viktor Orban wins re-election, Washington's latest effort to tip the scales in the incumbent's favor ahead of elections.

"My Administration stands ready to use the full economic might of the United States to strengthen Hungary’s economy, as we have done for our great allies in the past, if Prime Minister Viktor Orbán and the Hungarian people ever need it," Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform.

"We are excited to invest in the future prosperity that will be generated by Orbán’s continued leadership!" he added.

US Vice President JD Vance visited Hungary this week, meeting Orban and delivering public remarks in which he emphasized Washington's support for the embattled leader, accusing the EU of punishing Hungary for its choice of leader.

He called the EU's actions "one of the worst examples of foreign and election interference that I've ever seen," specifically targeting Brussels for allegedly directing social media companies on what information to show Hungarian voters.

"I won't tell the people of Hungary how to vote. I would encourage the bureaucrats in Brussels to do the exact same thing," Vance said, adding that he was in Budapest to celebrate what he called "moral cooperation" representing "the defense of Western civilization."

Hungary is set to hold elections Sunday. A compilation of polling compiled by the Politico news website has Orban's Fidesz Party trailing the opposition Tisza Party by 11 points.