World leaders scoff at Trump mulling Orbán as UN secretary-general

World leaders scoffed at President Trump reportedly mulling the idea of nominating his ally former Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán as the United Nations secretary-general.

Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk called the possibility “funny,” adding “just a moment ago, he was a candidate for president of the European Commission,” according to Politico .

He was referring to a previous claim that Orbán was becoming the European Commission’s president.

Recently, the U.S. has reportedly encouraged Orbán to throw his hat into the ring for secretary-general, according to The Wall Street Journal , citing sources from three countries. A State Department official told the Journal that there were already eight votes on the Security Council for Orbán, while 10 of the 15 council members were within reach.

Ukrainian Foreign Affairs Minister Andrii Sybiha did not seem receptive to the idea on social media , writing, “I am certain that Viktor Orbán, as UN Secretary-General, would put to good use the masterful veto and blackmail skills he has developed over years of derailing major EU decisions.”

“We can share with the rest of the world our great experience of taking him out for coffee at the right moment,” he added.

Orbán has faced criticism for weaponizing the justice system to go after political opponents and critics, failing to meaningfully tackle corruption and undermining freedom of speech, as well as unfair practices in elections.

Shashi Tharoor, a senior leader of the Indian opposition Congress party and former secretary-general candidate, similarly wrote , “what are the odds of @PM_ViktorOrban actually getting the minimum nine votes required from non-permanent members of the @un Security Council? I wouldn’t rate them too highly!”

The appointment process of selecting the next U.N. secretary-general kicked off in 2025 with seven nominees currently listed on the U.N.’s website as top contenders for the role.

Orbán is not listed, and in order to be elected by the General Assembly, the Security Council must provide a recommendation for a candidate.

The candidate must have support from nine of the 15 Security Council members, without opposition from any permanent members — China, France, Russia, U.K. and U.S. — which can block a nominee with veto power. The requirements have made finding the next secretary-general difficult.

Reports about Orbán’s potential nomination are also receiving pushback stateside.

Rep. Don Bacon (R-Neb.) called it a “terrible choice” on social media .

In the past, Trump endorsed Orbán’s reelection bid for Hungarian prime minister and even hosted him at the White House last year. The visit focused on Orbán asking Trump to provide Hungary with an exemption to continue importing Russian oil despite U.S. sanctions.