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Hungary’s Prime Minister Viktor Orbán announced plans on Friday to implement legal measures targeting local non-governmental organizations and media outlets that receive funding from U.S. agencies and international sources. In his statement, he expressed his intention to dismantle what he termed “foreign networks.”
Speaking during a state radio broadcast, Orbán, who has consistently supported U.S. President Donald Trump, revealed that his administration was conducting a detailed review of Hungarian organizations that have benefited from American financial support.
Patriots Summit in Madrid. President Trump’s victory is a clear sign that the age of Patriots has come. If all goes well, Herbert Kickl will soon join the club. We hope to welcome you at our next Summit as Chancellor of Austria! pic.twitter.com/6ChNIWu2MF
— Orbán Viktor (@PM_ViktorOrban) February 7, 2025
The Hungarian leader expressed strong approval of Trump’s decision to shut down the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), claiming that such assistance had been utilized to support organizations attempting to destabilize his administration.
“Now is the moment when these international networks have to be taken down, they have to be swept away,” Orbán said. “It is necessary to make their existence legally impossible.”
The Prime Minister went further to suggest that individuals employed by organizations receiving USAID funding might be classified as “agents.” He characterized Trump’s dismantling of the U.S. agency as a “cleansing wind” emerging from what he dubbed the “Trump tornado.”
BREAKING: Hungary Prime Minister Viktor Orbán thanks President Trump for helping expose USAID.
“I think the world owes a debt of gratitude to President Trump for uncovering and putting an end to this dark conspiracy.” pic.twitter.com/HzZ0KavrhD
— Ian Jaeger (@IanJaeger29) February 6, 2025
“All money coming from America should be made public, and those who receive it should have sanctions enacted against them,” Orbán said.
“You cannot accept money from abroad in order to influence Hungarian politics, and this will be legally enforced. Those involved will face legal consequences.”
The announcement follows recent developments at USAID’s Washington headquarters, where career staff received instructions to avoid entering the building. This directive was circulated after Elon Musk revealed Trump’s agreement to discontinue the agency’s operations.
