@angrystaffer.bsky.social Listen up America, it's (way past) our turn to do the same.

#us #uspol #hungary #orban #fascism #illiberalism #liberalism

Yet on Tuesday, #Vance seemed to contradict #US efforts to push its allies to break with #Russia #energy, excoriating other #EU countries for moving to cease their imports of Russian #FossilFuels in response to the #war.

“It is funny to watch prime ministers & leaders in some of the Western European capitals talk about the #EnergyCrisis when frankly they should have been following the policies of Viktor #Orbán,” he said.

#hypocrisy #Trump #illiberalism #corruption #kleptocracy #MafiaState

#Hungary, which has broken with most #EU countries by refusing to assist #Ukraine with financial assistance or weapons to ward off #Russia’s full-scale invasion, has remained firmly committed to purchasing Russian energy despite EU efforts to wean off such supplies.

In November, Hungary received an exemption from #US #sanctions on #Russia #oil & #gas after a White House meeting between #Orbán & #Trump.

#hypocrisy #geopolitics #authoritarianism #illiberalism #corruption #kleptocracy #MafiaState

#Trump has repeatedly endorsed #Orbán’s candidacy for reelection, & many in the #MAGA movement approve of the Hungarian leader’s opposition to #immigration, curtailing of #LGBTQ+ rights, & capture of the #media & #academia.

But with most independent polls showing a double-digit deficit for #Fidesz among decided voters ahead of the April 12 vote, Orbán has sought to boost his profile by appearing publicly with his international admirers.

#illiberalism #corruption #kleptocracy #MafiaState

Despite his clear endorsement of #Orbán, #Vance lashed out at the #EU for what he said was “one of the worst examples of foreign election interference that I’ve ever seen or ever even read about.”

Long accused by critics of taking over #Hungary’s institutions, clamping down on #press #freedom & overseeing entrenched political #corruption — charges he denies — Orbán has become an icon in the global #FarRight movement.

#hypocrisy #Trump #geopolitics #illiberalism #kleptocracy #MafiaState