Confused Trump Lavishes Praise On Hungary's PM Orban, But Mistakenly Calls Him 'Leader Of Turkey'

In a recent campaign speech in New Hampshire, former U.S. President Donald Trump incorrectly referred to Hungary’s Prime Minister, Viktor Orbán, as the President of Turkey.

What Happened: As per a report by Politico, Trump praised Orbán, falsely stating, "He's probably, like, one of the strongest leaders anywhere in the world. He's the leader of Turkey." In fact, the actual president of Turkey is Recep Tayyip Erdoğan.

Trump also wrongly claimed that Orbán has a “front” with Russia. This is not true, as neither Hungary nor Turkey shares a land border with Russia.

See Also: Joe Biden Mocks Jim Jordan’s Failed Bid For House Speakership: ‘He Just Got His Rear End Kicked’

Trump has previously admired Orbán’s leadership, which is characterized by opposition to migration and LGBTQ rights. Orbán was also the first European leader to back Trump’s 2016 presidential campaign and urged him to “keep fighting” after his criminal indictment.

Why It Matters: Trump’s recent gaffe is not the first in his public speeches. Previously, he caused a stir with contentious remarks at the Washington DC Pray Vote Stand Summit, as noted in a Benzinga report. He suggested that President Joe Biden’s re-election could lead to ‘World War II’ and appeared to confuse his political opponents.

As the race for the Republican nomination in the 2024 presidential election heats up, Trump’s age could potentially influence voters’ decisions. A Politico/Morning Consult poll highlighted by Benzinga indicates that approximately 69% of registered Republican voters favor a candidate who is under the age of 70. Trump, currently 76, might face challenges in appealing to this demographic.

Photo by Frederic Legrand – COMEO on Shutterstock

Read Next: Trump’s Niece Taunts Uncle Over Judge’s $5K Fine And Imprisonment Warning For Gag Order Violation: ‘He’s Pouting Harder’