Clinton: Hungary Vote a Win for Democracy, Defeat for Putin

Clinton Sees Hungary Vote as Victory for Democracy, Blow to Authoritarianism

Former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton hailed the recent election results in Hungary as a significant win for democracy, not just for the Hungarian people but for democratic values worldwide. She characterized the outcome as a defeat for Russian President Vladimir Putin, former U.S. President Donald Trump, and the broader forces of authoritarianism.

Speaking in a recent interview, Clinton emphasized that the election’s core message was anti-corruption. She noted the “historic turnout of more than 77%,” highlighting the Hungarian people’s “disgust with the corruption by Orban, his family, his enablers, his cronies.” This sentiment, she argued, was a primary driver behind the vote.

Clinton also drew parallels between support for Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban from figures like J.D. Vance, Marco Rubio, and Donald Trump, and the election’s outcome. “Well, in fact, voting Orban out is a win for Western civilization,” she stated, contrasting it with the idea that Orban represented it. She added that the election was a win for “accountable government,” the “rule of law,” and “checks and balances,” while being a loss for corruption and those who align with leaders like Putin.

Lessons for America: Accountability and Affordability

The election in Hungary offers important lessons for American politics, according to Clinton. She warned against “one-man rule,” stating that it inevitably leads to corruption, oppression, and “reckless adventures.” She urged Americans, regardless of political affiliation, to care about American democracy, especially as the nation approaches its 250th anniversary.

Clinton suggested that the core message for Democrats looking ahead to the 2026 and 2028 elections should be “affordability and accountability.” She stressed the need to address the rising cost of living, including housing and healthcare, which she believes have worsened under Trump’s influence. “You cannot have affordability if you don’t have accountability,” Clinton asserted, linking the two concepts directly.

She explained that accountability extends beyond financial enrichment to who is favored by those in power. Clinton believes the Trump administration has enriched itself and its allies, creating a transactional system that benefits them. She argued that focusing on affordability and accountability offers a winning message for Democrats, echoing sentiments from the Wall Street Journal editorial page which suggested that an “autocrat picking winners and losers” and fostering corruption was a losing strategy in Hungary and would be in the U.S. as well.

Critique of Trump’s Behavior and Leadership

Clinton did not shy away from criticizing Donald Trump’s behavior and rhetoric. She called his social media posts “disgraceful” and “unhinged,” citing threats of “civilizational genocide” and comparing himself to Jesus. She emphasized that words from an American president have real consequences and that leaders must be held accountable for both their actions and their statements.

She questioned the notion of “Western civilization” often invoked by Trump and his allies, stating that true Western civilization is built on holding leaders accountable and preventing them from becoming autocrats. Clinton believes Trump has broken norms and undermined American democracy, leading the U.S. into a weak position internationally.

Clinton expressed concern that a leader who feels they are losing might become more reckless. She urged Congress, including Republicans, to fulfill their constitutional duty to rein in the president before he causes “irreparable damage” to the country’s standing and leadership. She believes that if the midterm elections were held today, Democrats would win both the House and the Senate, leading to greater accountability.

Concerns Regarding Iran and Israel Policy

The interview also touched upon U.S. policy towards Iran and Israel. Clinton recalled the slow, deliberate process of negotiating the Iran nuclear deal during her tenure as Secretary of State. She expressed skepticism about the current administration’s capability and willingness to engage in such difficult diplomacy, citing the selection of negotiators and the perceived inadequacy of offers made.

Clinton stated that Trump seemed unaware of basic potential Iranian actions, such as closing the Strait of Hormuz, which she considered a standard assumption in war games. She believes the U.S. has lost leverage and initiative in its dealings with Iran. While supporting Trump’s past bombing of nuclear sites as a limited objective, she opposed his broader “incoherent attack on Iran.”

Regarding Israel, Clinton reiterated her strong support for the country but stated she is a “staunch opponent of Benjamin Netanyahu.” She believes Netanyahu has stayed in power too long and has undermined Israel’s long-term security. Clinton drew a parallel to her opposition to Donald Trump, arguing that opposing a leader does not make one anti-American, but rather a fair observer of what is in the country’s best interest.

She advocated for supporting the Lebanese government to counter Hezbollah and called for an end to settler violence in the West Bank. Clinton believes such actions create future adversaries and do not contribute to Israel’s security. She urged a focus on disarming Hamas and stressed that the Israeli people ultimately need to decide on their leadership, hoping they choose leaders who will act in Israel’s best interest, much like the people of Hungary did.

Allies’ Concerns and Future Outlook

Clinton noted that allies perceive the U.S. leadership as erratic, waking up to “rants from the president of the United States” that often “make no sense.” This perception, she said, leads allies to strengthen their own defenses and the European Union, and to ensure Ukraine is not pressured into a surrender deal by Trump.

She expressed worry about Trump becoming more reckless, especially if he feels he is losing. Clinton urged Congress to act decisively to prevent him from continuing as a “rogue player” on the international stage. She concluded by emphasizing the importance of holding leaders accountable for their words and actions, hoping that the upcoming elections will bring about change and ensure accountability for the current administration.

Source: Full interview: Hillary Clinton on Hungary's election, Trump's social media posts (YouTube)