00:00Fact-checking J.D. Vence's claims that Brussels is harming Hungary.
00:07Hungary is heading into a key election with longtime leader Viktor Orban,
00:13facing pro-European challenger Peter Magyar.
00:15During a visit to Budapest, U.S. Vice-President J.D. Vence criticized the European Union alongside Orban.
00:21We fact-checked two of his biggest claims.
00:24What has happened in the midst of this election campaign is one of the worst examples of foreign election interference
00:31that I've ever seen or ever even read about.
00:33The bureaucrats in Brussels have tried to destroy the economy of Hungary.
00:38The EU has frozen part of its funding to Hungary.
00:41This follows long-standing concerns over rule of law issues, including corruption and public procurement.
00:47These measures were agreed by all EU member states and are designed to protect the EU budget,
00:53not to target Hungary's economy.
00:55They are conditional and funds can be released if Hungary implements the agreed reforms.
01:00Hungary continues to receive EU fundings overall.
01:03There is no evidence that the EU is deliberately trying to damage its economy.
01:08And on everything from digital censorship,
01:10Why are bureaucrats in Brussels telling social media companies what information they're giving to Hungarian voters?
01:18Vence's comments refer to the Digital Services Act,
01:21which requires platforms to limit illegal and harmful content, including disinformation.
01:27In December 2025, X was fined 120 million euros for breaching some DSA rules.
01:33The law has faced opposition from Donald Trump's administration.
01:36In response to these accusations, the European Commission says the law is meant to protect users,
01:42not influence elections.
01:44Some supporters of Orbán's Fidesz party have also accused Meta of censoring content linked to the Prime Minister.
01:50Meta denies this, saying there are no restrictions and no posts have been removed.
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