WASHINGTON, United States, March 25, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - US President Donald Trump on Tuesday gave his "complete and total endorsement" to Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban, urging voters to re-elect him in an April contest where he is facing an unprecedented challenge to his 16-year rule.

Orban "is a truly strong and powerful Leader, with a proven track record of delivering phenomenal results," Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform, praising him for fighting illegal immigration, restoring law and order and bringing relations with Washington to "new heights of cooperation."

"I was proud to ENDORSE Viktor for Re-Election in 2022, and am honored to do so again. Election Day is April 12, 2026. Hungary: GET OUT AND VOTE FOR VIKTOR ORBAN," Trump wrote. "I AM WITH HIM ALL THE WAY!"

Independent opinion polls suggest Orban, a supporter of Trump and Russian leader Vladimir Putin, who is waging a war against Hungary's neighbor Ukraine, is in a weak position ahead of the ballot.

Orban faces criticism from Brussels for silencing critical voices in the judiciary, academia, the media and civil society, as well as enacting policies that target minorities.