During his White House meeting with Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban, President Donald Trump lauded Orban as a “great leader” and key Trump ally, highlighting Hungary’s strict immigration controls, low crime, and independent stance on energy. The two discussed Hungary’s exemption from new US sanctions on Russian oil—granted by Trump due to Hungary’s landlocked status—along with trade ties, efforts to bring down energy prices, and the cost-of-living crisis. Trump referenced upcoming Thanksgiving savings under his administration and used the meeting to contrast his inflation record to Biden’s. Their discussion also touched on prospects for a Trump-Putin summit in Budapest (currently on hold) and Hungary’s unique geopolitical positioning between NATO, the EU, and Moscow.