“He Lives In An Alternate Reality” – Outrage as Trump Flounders, Mistaking Hungarian PM for Turkish Leader in Embarrassing Diplomatic Fiasco

Gabriel RomanOct 28, 2023

Minute Read

Recent campaign speeches reveal that keeping track of global leaders may be trickier than some might think. Former US President Donald Trump recently made headlines by confusing the roles of two prominent leaders. Some people took these mistakes to question Trump’s mental capabilities.

The New Hampshire Speech

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While rallying his base in Derry, New Hampshire, Trump brought up international relations and mentioned Victor Orbán. He stated, “The whole world is exploding. You know I was very honored—Victor Orbán, did anyone ever hear of him?” But, in his address, he made an oversight regarding Orbán’s leadership position.

Orbán’s True Role

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During his speech, Trump incorrectly identified Victor Orbán as the leader of Turkey. In reality, Orbán serves as the Prime Minister of Hungary. The actual leader of Turkey is President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan. Trump mistakenly said, “He’s probably one of the strongest leaders anywhere in the world. Right? He’s the leader of Turkey.”

Trump’s Track Record

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Trump’s history shows a pattern of praising figures that are often viewed as controversial. He’s publicly praised China’s President Xi Jinping, Russian President Vladimir Putin, and North Korea’s Kim Jong Un. Trump once described Hezbollah as “very smart” after their missile strike on Israel.

Orbán’s Stand on the U.S.

Orbán has had a somewhat aggressive stance towards the U.S. According to a CIA document that was reportedly leaked and later covered by the Wall Street Journal, Orbán categorized the U.S. as the number one enemy of his political party, Fidesz. Clearly, there is a strained relationship between the two nations.

Trump’s Correction

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Upon realizing his mistake, Trump tried to rectify it. He eventually referred to Orbán accurately as the “head of Hungary.” Acknowledging Orbán’s leadership style, Trump said that Orbán “runs it properly, with crime and everything else,” but soon after, he returned to his critical remarks about President Biden.

A Historical Alliance

The bond between Orbán and Trump goes back years, marking a unique friendship between two global leaders. Notably, Orbán was the first EU leader to publicly back Trump’s 2016 presidential campaign. Further cementing their close ties, Orbán even visited Trump in the White House in 2019, showing their mutual support and understanding.

Trump’s Praise for Orbán

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During his participation in a Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) held in Hungary, Trump expressed his admiration for Orbán. He praised him as a “tremendous leader,” emphasizing his robust leadership style. Trump has consistently supported Orbán, even with global criticisms and concerns about Orbán’s policies and governance.

Alexander Vindman Speaks Up

In a post on X, formerly known as Twitter, Alexander Vindman swiftly corrected Trump, stating, “The leader of Hungary is Viktor Orban… Turkey is Recep Erdogan.” He underscored that both leaders had worked with Trump, and Trump had spoken to each multiple times. He then added, “That Trump couldn’t remember who leads which country or didn’t care to know is disturbing. Time for a mental acuity check.”

Age Concerns for Leaders

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Amid recent mistakes from both Trump, who is now 77, and Biden, now 80, the public and media have been rife with speculations regarding their mental ability. As the 2024 election looms closer, these concerns have intensified. Many people have debated the physical and mental demands of the presidency and the potential implications on the nation’s governance.

Biden’s Missteps

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In September, President Biden seemed to falter on a few occasions. First, he appeared to mix up the Congressional Black Caucus with the Congressional Hispanic Caucus during a gala dinner. Then, in an oversight, he walked off without shaking hands with Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, the president of Brazil, after a press conference. Perhaps the most notable was his claim of visiting Ground Zero in New York following 9/11, a claim for which no records or evidence support.

Orbán’s CPAC Calls

At the CPAC Hungary event, Victor Orbán was vocal about his desires for the political landscape. “I’m sure if President Trump would be the president, there would be no war in Ukraine and Europe.” He further expressed his admiration and trust in Trump’s leadership by adding, “Come back, Mr. President. Make America great again and bring us peace.”

Orbán’s Controversial Stance

Orbán has never been one to shy away from controversial topics. In a widely criticized speech, he voiced his views condemning “race mixing.” Such strong words did not sit well with many, including his close advisers. Zsuzsanna Hegedüs, a key ally and adviser, criticized the speech, describing it as a “purely Nazi diatribe.”

Concerns Over Trump’s Mental Ability

One user, reflecting on Trump’s recent gaffes, commented, “If only Trump followers listened to those who worked with him, those who were alarmed during Trump’s administration at his lack of knowledge about pretty much everything.” Another user echoed this idea, stating that Trump “lives in an alternate reality that’s nowhere close to normal.”

Debates on Trump’s Mental State

Continued discussions have emerged around Trump’s cognitive abilities. Highlighting a specific instance, a user commented, “He just figured out the US “us” is the same as the United States. He mistook the Prime Minister of Hungary for the President of Turkey and doesn’t know who Sidney Powell is even though she was part of a hand-chosen legal team. Yeah, he’s Presidential material.”

Comparisons with Biden

The comparisons between President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump are unavoidable. While Biden has faced his own scrutiny, some believe his challenges are not on par with Trump’s. One user said, “Biden has a stuttering problem that comes out when he’s tired, but not equivalent to Trump, who might be in real decline.”

Sympathy Amid Criticisms

In the midst of the uproar and critiques, some showed more sympathy towards Trump. A concerned user said, “I dislike Trump, however, I wouldn’t wish his early dementia on anyone. Very sad to see.” Such comments remind us of the importance of separating the individual from the politician and humanizing public figures.

Defense for Trump

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For every critic, there’s often a supporter ready to defend their stance. Trump’s advocates champion his tenure as President. One particular supporter argued, “Enough about Trump, it’s about policy, and under an actual president, this country was clearly coming back. Trump was harassed constantly, yet we all still thrived under his administration.”

What’s Next?

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The divisive figure of Donald Trump continues to create strong reactions from both sides of the political spectrum. As the country heads towards another election, the discourse around his ability to lead will likely intensify. While some question his cognitive state, others discuss the alleged prosperity under his reign.