Donald Trump praises Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán during a debate: Who is Viktor Orbán?

In response to inquiries about Trump's unfounded claims of winning the 2020 election, which President Joe Biden actually won, Harris noted that many world leaders do not view him as highly as he believes. “I have traveled the world as vice president, and world leaders are laughing at Donald Trump,” she stated. “I’ve spoken with military leaders, some of whom work with you, and they say you are a disgrace.”

Trump countered by referencing Hungary's Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, who he claimed appreciated the Trump administration's policies. “They call him a strong man. He’s a tough person,” Trump remarked about Orbán, a controversial figure known for curtailing press freedom and political opposition. He added, “Viktor Orbán said, ‘the most respected, most feared person is Donald Trump. We had no problems when Trump was president,’” while labeling Biden as a “weak, pathetic man.”

Throughout the debate, Harris and others criticized Trump's assertion that he would act like a dictator from the first day of a potential second term. While Trump suggested this would involve utilizing executive power to secure the border and expand the American energy sector, Harris and President Biden have framed him as a threat to democracy, particularly in light of the January 6, 2021, Capitol Riot. Harris consistently positioned herself as the candidate dedicated to preserving democracy during the debate.