US Vice President JD Vance visited Budapest days before Hungary's pivotal election, accusing the European Union of electoral interference and censorship against Prime Minister Viktor Orbán. Vance praised Orbán as a "role model" for Europe, criticizing Brussels for attempting to harm Hungary's economy and energy independence, and questioning the EU's digital regulations that require platforms to address disinformation. He also alleged that Ukrainian intelligence services were trying to influence the vote, though he provided no evidence for these claims. Vance vowed to assist Orbán in the campaign's final days, mirroring former President Donald Trump's support for the Hungarian leader amidst strained EU-Hungary relations, including Orbán's veto of Ukraine aid and withheld EU funds over rule of law concerns.