During his recent visit to Budapest, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio emphasized the 'golden age' of U.S.-Hungarian relations, stating that this positive relationship would continue as long as Prime Minister Viktor Orbán remains in power. This endorsement comes at a critical time as Orbán faces a tough electoral challenge in April. However, Rubio's remarks have intensified concerns among European leaders regarding the U.S. commitment to transatlantic unity, particularly following his provocative itinerary that included meetings at the Munich Security Conference, where tensions with traditional allies were already high (The Guardian, February 17, 2026).