Orbán targets foreign-funded media, NGOs, likens USAID to political interference

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban. (Source: Bloomberg)

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán has intensified his critique of U.S. foreign aid mechanisms, particularly targeting the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). In a recent post on X (formerly Twitter), Orbán described USAID as "the heart of a robust financial and power machine," alleging it was "created to crush, crumble, and erode the freedom and independence of nations."

USAID was the heart of a robust financial and power machine. A monster created to crush, crumble and erode the freedom and independence of nations so that the liberal-globalist empire could thrive. President @realDonaldTrump drove a stake through the heart of the empire. Now its pic.twitter.com/VnYLUAGM5Z
Orbn Viktor (@PM_ViktorOrban) February 23, 2025

Orbán has called on lawmakers to draft legislation allowing the expulsion of media outlets and civil society groups receiving foreign funding, Bloomberg reported, citing pro-government newspaper Magyar Nemzet. The move, discussed during a Fidesz party retreat, is part of Orbán’s broader push to curb foreign influence ahead of next year’s parliamentary elections.

According to the report, Orbán specifically targeted organizations allegedly benefiting from funds linked to George Soros and the US Democratic Party, stating they should be banned from operating in Hungary. Earlier this month, he signaled the crackdown was imminent, endorsing former US President Donald Trump’s proposal to shut down the US Agency for International Development (USAID).

USAID launched a program in late 2022 to bolster democracy and civil society in Central Europe, including financing independent media and NGOs in Hungary. Orbán has long portrayed such initiatives as foreign interference, aligning with his nationalist agenda.

With Fidesz trailing in the polls and limited fiscal space for pre-election spending, Orbán appears to be banking on his ties with Trump to secure economic benefits for Hungary. His administration has waged multiple campaigns against dissenting voices since 2010, targeting academia, the judiciary, and independent media. At the same time, pro-government organizations have received generous state-backed funding.

Orbán’s tightening grip on power has drawn criticism from the European Union, which has suspended billions in funding for Hungary over rule-of-law concerns and allegations of widespread corruption.