Trump administration officials have encouraged former Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán to run for secretary-general of the United Nations, according to a report from The Wall Street Journal, as summarized by Euronews and Anadolu Agency. The Journal reported that sources in three countries confirmed the push and that the plan could make Orbán a joint candidate backed by the United States, Russia and China, Euronews reported.
According to Euronews, no final decision has been made. A State Department official acknowledged to the Journal that the idea sounds “crazy” at first, but said earlier conversations with Washington suggest Moscow and Beijing would be supportive, Euronews reported. The White House and Beijing have not confirmed the report, according to Euronews.
Washington plans for Viktor Orban to be a "joint candidate" for the US, China and Russia to be UN secretary general, WSJ reportshttps://t.co/R5CKmBjpD8
— Finbarr Bermingham (@fbermingham) October 25, 2026
The term of current Secretary-General António Guterres ends on Dec. 31, 2026, Euronews reported. To win the post, a candidate needs the support of at least nine of the 15 members of the U.N. Security Council, and any of the five permanent members can veto a nominee, according to Euronews.
Counting votes on the Security Council
A State Department official estimated that eight of the council’s 15 members would “comfortably” back Orbán, with 10 votes potentially within reach, Anadolu Agency reported. Britain and France, both permanent members with veto power, could oppose the bid, according to Anadolu’s account of the Journal report.
Anadolu Agency reported that U.S. officials first contacted Orbán to gauge his interest, and that he was receptive but cautious. According to the outlet, Orbán does not want to enter the race unless he believes he can win, and he declined to comment. A source familiar with the process told the Journal that President Trump and Vice President JD Vance would be expected to back Orbán again if he runs, but that any announcement is being held until after the U.S. midterm elections, Anadolu reported.
The Journal described Orbán as “the dream MAGA-conservative candidate,” pointing to his opposition to mass migration and liberal nongovernmental groups and his frequent clashes with the European Union, according to Anadolu Agency. Trump endorsed Orbán in Hungary’s April 2026 election, and Vance campaigned for him, Anadolu reported. Orbán, who led Hungary for 16 years, lost that election.
Pushback from Moscow
Not everyone is on board. Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Aleksandr Alimov told the Interfax news agency that neither Russia, the United States nor China would formally nominate Orbán, because permanent Security Council members do not nominate candidates for the job, Euronews reported. Alimov said whoever is behind the idea would need to find a country to nominate him, according to Euronews.
The race already has other contenders. United Arab Emirates diplomat Lana Nusseibeh entered last week, and a new Security Council straw poll is scheduled for Wednesday, Anadolu Agency reported.
For now, the Orbán plan remains a trial balloon. But if the Journal’s reporting holds, the Trump administration is looking to put a nationalist conservative in charge of an institution that conservatives have long criticized as bloated and hostile to American interests.
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- Original post: Finbarr Bermingham (@fbermingham) on X, Oct 25, 2026
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