Senate GOP divided over Viktor Orbán’s loss in Hungary

The landslide electoral defeat of Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán has exposed a rift in the U.S. Republican Party between those embracing a post-Orbán political shift in Europe and those lamenting the downfall of a prominent right-wing figure with close ties to both President Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin.

The Trump administration leaned into its support for the long-serving Hungarian leader ahead of Sunday’s election, with Vice President Vance making a last-minute trip to Budapest to stump for Orbán as part of a closing push to boost support for the far-right ally. 

But Vance’s visit failed to give Orbán and his nationalist-populist Fidesz party the edge it needed to win a fifth consecutive term in power, and the incumbent conceded the race on Sunday to Péter Magyar and his center-right Tisza Party. 

The stunning loss was a blow to Trump and his populist base — but a boon to European leaders and other prodemocracy allies who have pushed for a strong NATO alliance.

In the Senate, the election results garnered mixed responses from even some of the president’s close allies. 

Sen. Rick Scott (R-Fla.), for example, broke with the U.S. president by celebrating Magyar’s win and expressing optimism at the prospect of a new relationship.

“Congratulations to Peter Magyar, the new Prime Minister of Hungary! The Hungarian people have chosen freedom by rejecting Putin and standing with their western allies here in the United States and in Europe,” Scott said in a........

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