JD Vance and Viktor Orban in Budapest last week.Viktor Orban’s crushing defeat in the Hungarian elections has triggered online mockery of JD Vance.
In a highly-controversial move, the US vice-president travelled to Budapest last week to give his support to Orban, the pro-Russia, right-wing nationalist who had been his country’s prime minister for 16 years.
Confirming the Trump administration’s backing for Orban, Vance said he was there “to help him in this campaign cycle”.
However, Orban lost in a landslide to his pro-EU rival Peter Magyar when Hungarians went to the polls on Sunday.
Magyar had said the election was “a choice between East or West, propaganda or honest public discourse, corruption or clean public life”.
His victory was quickly welcomed by politicians across the EU, as well as by Keir Starmer.
Posting on X, the prime minister said: “Congratulations Peter Magyar on your election victory. This is an historic moment, not only for Hungary, but for European democracy. I look forward to working with you for the security and prosperity of both our countries.”
Congratulations @MagyarPeterMP on your election victory.
This is an historic moment, not only for Hungary, but for European democracy.
I look forward to working with you for the security and prosperity of both our countries.
European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen said: “Hungary has chosen Europe. Europe has always chosen Hungary. A country reclaims its European path. The Union grows stronger.”
Other social media users, including Lib Dem leader Ed Davey, were quick to point out that Magyar’s victory was also a humiliation for JD Vance.
Another triumph for American diplomacy pic.twitter.com/wtfXzGxrxR
— Dr. Ian Garner (@irgarner) April 12, 2026visits the pope → pope dies
leads Iran negotiations → talks collapse
flies to Hungary to prop up Orbán → Orbán loses in a landslide
Man’s got a streak. pic.twitter.com/Xx9I2HIwtc
Vance has the magic touch.
— Anthony Scaramucci (@Scaramucci) April 12, 2026Not even a week after JD Vance traveled to Budapest to show his support and love for him, the pro-Russian Viktor Orban has suffered one of the most catastrophic electoral defeats in the history of the Hungarian nation. Do visit us more often, JD! Cheers from Europe!🇪🇺 pic.twitter.com/p9vJ4aWr0X
— Daractenus (@Daractenus) April 12, 2026Has anyone noticed that wherever JD Vance goes, he just makes a mess.
In Munich he insulted European allies. In Greenland he turned everyone against Trump. And now he’s helped Viktor Orbán lose re-election.
Maybe better to spend more time on the couch @VP?
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