Jake Sullivan, the president’s national security adviser, found himself in a difficult position when he chose not to label Mr. Orban as a dictator. “I’m not going to speak on behalf of the Biden campaign,” he stated during a briefing with reporters. “You should direct those questions to the campaign.” Despite this, he did express concerns about Hungary’s actions against democratic institutions.
Heather A. Conley, the president of the German Marshall Fund of the United States, highlighted Mr. Orban’s involvement in American politics, including his attendance at the Conservative Political Action Conference and his comments favoring Mr. Trump’s return to power.
Conley emphasized the significance of calling Mr. Orban a dictator, stating that it could have substantial foreign policy consequences. She referenced the example of Greece under a military junta from 1967 to 1974 as a potential outcome for Hungary if such a designation was made.
Additionally, the recent controversy surrounding President Biden’s remarks about cannibals in New Guinea stirred its own backlash. Despite the story being debunked by Pentagon records, which indicated that his uncle was not shot down by cannibals but was involved in a plane crash, the narrative had already caused a stir.
