Trump apparently confuses leaders of Hungary, Turkey

Former President Trump appeared to confuse the leaders of Hungary and Turkey during a campaign speech Monday evening in Derry, N.H.

“I was very honored — there’s a man, Viktor Orbán, anybody ever hear of him? He’s probably like, one of the strongest leaders anywhere in the world,” he said. “He’s the leader of Turkey.”

Orbán is the authoritarian leader of Hungary and a frequent recipient of praise from the former president. Recep Tayyip Erdoğan is the president of Turkey.

Trump went on to say that Orbán shared a border with Russia, which neither Hungary nor Turkey do.

Trump’s praise for Orbán and the rising popularity for the leader in American conservative circles has drawn sharp criticism in recent years. 

Orbán has been hesitant to support efforts to back Ukraine in its conflict against Russia, and has cozied up to Russia in the past. He also made headlines after a controversial speech last year where he denounced so-called “mixed race” nations.

The authoritarian leader has championed the conservative social issues important to some Republicans, including leading crusades against “woke” and LGBTQ causes. 

He was also a headline speaker at the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) last year, and hosted his own CPAC in Budapest in May.

When Trump was indicted on federal charges for the first time earlier this year, Orbán told the former president to “keep fighting.”