“An Example Of Failure”

The pro-Kremlin, anti-EU strongman has spent 16 years building a template for Christian nationalist rule now embraced by the American right. Orbán has been the toast of CPAC, a Tucker Carlson crush, and self-styled defender of western civilization against the predations of wokeness and race mixing. Vance praised Orbán, saying, “The president loves you, and so do I, because you’re such an important part of what has made Europe strong and prosperous.” Etc., etc. About that “strong and prosperous.” Richard Stengel, former Under Secretary of State for Public Diplomacy under President Obama, commented on Hungary Tuesday during an appearance on “Deadline: White House.” Speaking as a former editor (Time), Stengel recommended that every article on Hungary come with an advisory box. It would read: Hungary the poorest country in the EU Hungary is the most corrupt country in the EU Hungary is a country the size of Pennsylvania but it’s four times as poor as Pennsylvania Italy is 10 times richer than Hungary Bookmark that. “Hungary is an example of failure,” Stengel emphasized, an example of state capture. So just what is it that white, Christian nationalists find attractive about Hungary? Orbán is loudly and