Trump lauds Viktor Orbán as Europe’s far-right leaders gather in Budapest

US president’s backing comes as Hungary’s PM faces toughest election campaign of 16 years in office

Donald Trump has endorsed Hungary’s prime minister, Viktor Orbán, who faces his toughest electoral challenge next month since taking power 16 years ago, as Europe’s far-right leaders gather for a “grand assembly” in Budapest.

In a video message, the US president told the national-conservative Cpac Hungary conference in the capital on Saturday that Orbàn, who has been trailing in the polls behind a centre-right rival for more than a year, was a "fantastic guy."

Trump, who also backed Orbán on social media last month, said he had been a strong leader who had "shown the entire world what’s possible when you defend your borders, your culture, your heritage, your sovereignty and your values."