Donald Trump reportedly backs Viktor Orbán for UN Secretary-General role

The administration of Donald Trump is reportedly exploring a strategy to install former Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán as the next Secretary-General of the United Nations, succeeding the incumbent António Guterres. According to reports from the Wall Street Journal and other sources as of October 26, 2026, Washington has engaged in back-channel communications with Moscow and Beijing to determine the feasibility of a joint candidacy for the position.

The proposed plan aims to secure the support of the United States, Russia, and China to ensure Orbán’s transition into the top UN leadership role. While initial reports suggest that officials in Moscow and China have expressed an openness to the concept, the proposal remains in its preliminary stages. Sources note that the initiative is an unconventional departure from typical diplomatic protocols regarding the selection process for the world body's chief.

No formal nomination process has been officially initiated or confirmed by the parties involved at this time. The selection of a new UN Secretary-General involves complex diplomatic negotiations, and the U.S. State Department has acknowledged that the proposal may face initial hurdles as the international community reviews the potential shift in organizational direction.