The NPR Politics Podcast American Conservatives Are Smitten With Hungary's Increasingly Autocratic Leader
May 17, 2022
American conservatives are gathering in Hungary for CPAC, with Viktor Orban as the keynote speaker. His autocratic policies and hardline stance on immigration and LGBTQ rights have made him a symbol for some in the movement. Influential figures like Tucker Carlson have helped elevate Orban as an 'anti-woke' hero. This trend raises concerns about the increasing acceptance of authoritarian ideals within the Republican Party, especially in light of recent political dynamics since January 6th.
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CPAC in Hungary
- CPAC, a major U.S. conservative gathering, will hold a conference in Budapest, Hungary.
- This signals a growing alignment between some American conservatives and Hungary's leader, Viktor Orbán.
American Conservatives' Admiration for Orbán
- Some American conservative thought leaders admire Hungary's hardline leader, Viktor Orbán.
- Orbán has curtailed institutional checks on his power and taken controversial stances on immigration and LGBTQ+ rights.
Trump and Orbán
- Tucker Carlson broadcast his show from Budapest, showcasing Orbán's policies.
- Trump invited Orbán to the Oval Office in 2019, a move previous presidents avoided.