The Globalist – November 7, 2025

Viktor Orbán at the White House: Can Hungary’s PM Avoid the Bear in the Room?

Podcast: The Globalist
Host: Emma Nelson (Monocle)
Date: November 7, 2025

Episode Overview

This episode centers on Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán's high-profile visit to the White House and his meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump. The central question: what each leader has to gain, especially given their divided stance on Russia, specifically regarding Hungary’s push for continued Russian oil imports. The episode explores themes of political symbolism, populist alliances, European geopolitics, and the future of U.S.–Hungary relations, with additional segments covering the Gaza situation, the rise of Elon Musk, railways in Ukraine, the Mediterranean’s diplomatic shake-ups, and cultural highlights.

Key Segments & Discussion Points

1. Viktor Orbán Meets Donald Trump: A Photo Op or Policy Shift?

(03:24 – 11:23)

• The Russian Oil Dilemma and Hungary’s Priorities

  • Orbán’s main objective for the White House meeting: securing an exemption on sanctions to continue purchasing Russian oil, which underpins his domestic campaign for low utility prices.
  • Lily Takar (Hungarian journalist, 444.hu) notes that since Trump’s second inauguration, only minimal tangible benefits have materialized for Hungary (sanctions lifted on a key minister and relaxed travel restrictions). She characterizes the US–Hungary relationship as more personal than institutional.
  • Quote:

    “What Orbán needs from Trump is an exemption...until April when we will have parliamentary elections. His campaign builds on low utility prices, which he says is guaranteed by Russian oil.”
    — Lily Takar (04:19)

• The Power of Political Theater

  • Both leaders benefit from the optics of a close relationship; Orbán’s media empire frames each handshake as a “glorious victory.”
  • Orbán is uniquely endorsed by both Trump and Putin, making his Western leadership position exceptional.
  • Quote:

    “Orbán controls a heavy media empire which basically turns every handshake into a glorious victory...He’s endorsed by Trump, endorsed by Putin—unique for any Western leader.”
    — Lily Takar (05:07)

• Mutual Admiration for 'Strongman' Politics

  • Despite policy differences, the symbolic relationship is built on populist, personal branding.
  • Trump’s decision-making is noted as volatile, “influenced by the last person he spoke to,” making concrete outcomes uncertain.
  • Quote:

    “It is like a symbolic relationship. Trump likes strongman, Orbán likes strongman, they call each other friends, and photo ops are very important for both.”
    — Lily Takar (06:47)

• Relationship with the European Union and Russia-Ukraine War

  • Both Trump and Orbán are “not enthusiastic” about the EU.
  • Orbán’s narrative blames Ukraine, not Russia, for the ongoing war; he seeks to persuade Trump accordingly.
  • Attempted peace summits are portrayed in Hungarian media as stalled only due to Ukrainian obstinacy.
  • Quote:

    “Orbán will still try to convince Trump that the problem isn’t Russia, but Ukraine, which is what we hear here in Hungary every day.”
    — Lily Takar (08:30)

• Populist Influence on Central/Eastern Europe

  • Trump serves as an “icon for populist, right-wing politicians,” but Hungary’s entrenched illiberalism is unique in Europe due to Orbán’s long two-thirds parliamentary dominance.
  • Quote:

    “We have our Eastern European version of [Trump], to be honest.”
    — Lily Takar (10:34)

2. Gaza After Ceasefire: Can Hamas Rebuild?

(12:19 – 21:11)
Interview with Matthew Levitt, former U.S. Treasury official, Washington Institute for Near East Policy

• Hamas’s Reduced Capabilities

  • Post ceasefire, Hamas lacks the tunnels, weapons manufacturing, and illicit revenues it once held.
  • Now relegated to covert terrorism and aiming only for partial participation in future governance.

• International Security Force Effectiveness

  • Dangers of a superficial force that “just does traffic control” and does not confront Hamas, potentially sowing seeds for future conflict.
  • Quote:

    “No type of international security force that just does traffic control...is going to do anything other than lead us to the next conflict.”
    — Matthew Levitt (16:23)

• Necessity for Comprehensive Reconstruction

  • Rebuilding efforts are crucial not only for humanitarian reasons but also for security to prevent radicalization.
  • Past attempts with Qatari financing partially alleviated Gaza’s economic pain, but meaningful civil society and proper disarmament remain unfulfilled.
  • Israelis and international actors are seeking “points of leverage” to move toward a post-Hamas Gaza.
  • Quote:

    “We need to make sure there is reconstruction, that Gazans can live a normal and respectable life.”
    — Matthew Levitt (17:03)

3. Headlines & Front Page Review

(22:23 – 31:18)
Emma Nelson and Julia Jen

• Elon Musk’s Historic Pay Package

  • Tesla shareholders approve a plan making Elon Musk potentially the world’s first trillionaire.
  • Media focus on market disparities and Musk’s charismatic hold over smaller investors.
  • Quote from Emma Nelson:

    “It’s a cult of Elon Musk...there’s a belief in the force of his personality.” (25:16)

• Symbolic Advances in Ukraine’s Railways

  • Construction of European-gauge railway lines amidst war symbolizes westward integration and resilience.
  • Ongoing challenges: funding crises and constant attacks on transport infrastructure.

• Curious Experiment: Everest Climb in Vintage vs. Modern Gear

  • Two British twins test vintage 1924 mountaineering gear vs. modern equipment; the story doubles as a meditation on style and safety in adventure.

4. Satirical Review: “What We Learned” with Andrew Muller

(32:37 – 39:01)

• Recaps of the week’s quirkier news, including a “moon landing denial” by Kim Kardashian, misstatements by political figures conflating South Africa/South America, and a mock-serious trial involving a sandwich attack on a U.S. federal officer.
• Witty commentary on museum cybersecurity:

  “The password was ‘Louvre.’ Yes, yes it is.” (38:33)

5. Mediterranean News Roundup

(39:11 – 44:28)
Emma Nelson with Emmanuel Papavasiliu

• Greece’s New U.S. Ambassador: Media Personality over Diplomat

  • Kimberly Guilfoyle's unconventional background as a TV commentator and former prosecutor, and her Trump connections, raise eyebrows locally.
  • Priority remains energy, with the U.S. seeking to supply LNG to Greece and reduce Russian imports.
  • Quote:

    “If you walk the streets of Athens...she is nicknamed as the evil person from a Mexican soap opera.”
    — Emmanuel Papavasiliu (42:28)

• Making Greek Cultural Heritage Accessible

  • Athens introduces free museum and site entry on select Sundays to reengage residents with their city’s heritage.

6. Culture: Golden Horse Film Festival in Taipei

(45:16 – 48:32)
Ryuma Takahashi

• Opening Film “A Foggy Tale”
  • Set during Taiwan’s White Terror, the film highlights trauma, identity, and shared humanity between a Taiwanese girl and a Chinese KMT veteran.
  • Director’s vision: Give voice to both victims and misunderstood participants, and encourage more Taiwanese filmmakers to take creative risks.
  • Quote:

    “I believe the purpose...was to show that the Chinese soldier and the Taiwanese girl...share both hardship and joy, and to let audiences feel that connection.”
    — Director, Foggy Tale (47:40)

7. Art & Portraiture: Interview with Colin Davidson & Mark Carruthers

(49:11 – 58:36)

• On Capturing the Powerful
  • Davidson resists being labeled solely a portraitist, emphasizing the importance of the sculptural, tactile quality of oil painting.
  • Collaborative book with Carruthers highlights twelve portraits of major figures (e.g., Queen Elizabeth II, Angela Merkel, Bono), blending paintings and reflective conversations.
  • Behind-the-scenes anecdote: The Queen jokingly questioned the large size of her portrait’s head.
  • Quote:

    “She asked, ‘Why did you paint my head so big?’ I said, ‘Ma’am, all of my paintings are that size—it would be wrong to make yours any smaller.’”
    — Colin Davidson (55:49)

Notable Quotes

• On U.S.–Hungary Relations and Orbán's Tactics
  “It’s better to talk about Orban-Trump relations rather than Hungarian-American relations, because those institutionally don’t really exist.”
  — Lily Takar (03:33)

• On Gaza Reconstruction
  “We need to make sure that as we move forward, it’s not just that we build houses...but that society can build a functioning civil society.”
  — Matthew Levitt (17:03)

• On Populism’s Spread in Europe
  “Trump is for sure an icon for populist rightist politicians, but we have our Eastern European version of him, to be honest.”
  — Lily Takar (10:34)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• 03:24 – Viktor Orbán and the Trump relationship (Lily Takar interview)
• 12:19 – Gaza/Hamas post-ceasefire analysis (Matthew Levitt)
• 22:23 – Newspaper review: Musk, Ukraine railways, Everest twins (Emma Nelson & Julia Jen)
• 32:37 – Andrew Muller’s “What We Learned” satirical segment
• 39:11 – Mediterranean news and U.S.–Greece relations (Emmanuel Papavasiliu)
• 45:16 – Golden Horse Film Festival and “A Foggy Tale” (Ryuma Takahashi)
• 49:11 – Interview: Colin Davidson and Mark Carruthers on portraiture

Overall Tone & Style

The Globalist team maintains its signature mix of sharp analysis, global perspective, journalistic neutrality, and occasional understated humor. Conversations are insightful yet accessible, with a balance between hard news and culture.

Summary for New Listeners

This episode offers a timely, nuanced look at the interplay between populist politics and geopolitical strategy as exemplified by Viktor Orbán’s alignment with both Trump and Putin. It provides rich context on Europe’s shifting power dynamics, the uncertain future of Gaza, and the enduring allure of personality-driven leadership—whether in politics, business, or the arts. Rounded out by thoughtful cultural reporting and breezy commentary, it's a thorough snapshot of a world in flux.