With the landslide victory of Donald Trump and the Republican Party on 5 November, it is almost certain that David Pressman’s career as US Ambassador to Hungary is coming to an end. The post of ambassador, held by someone who has been endlessly critical of the Hungarian government, is now vacant, and speculation has immediately begun about who will represent Washington in one of the Trump administration’s closest European alliances.
According to a source who spoke to us on condition of anonymity, three names are among the most likely candidates: Nancy Brinker, David Cornstein, and Bryan Leib.
Nancy Brinker
Brinker has had a distinguished political career and is known internationally, though perhaps more for her efforts in the fight against cancer than for her political achievements. The 78-year-old diplomat previously served as ambassador in Budapest, representing President George W Bush and the Republican administration in Hungary from 2001 to 2003. Among her achievements during this time was organizing the first conference on the trafficking and exploitation of workers, which was attended by health ministers from neighbouring Balkan states as well.
‘For her work as Ambassador, Brinker was awarded the Order of Merit, Medium Class, Cross with Star’
She also raised awareness about breast cancer among Hungarian women by leading a march across the Chain Bridge in Budapest, where the bridge was illuminated in pink for the occasion. This march has been held annually ever since, with this year’s event taking place on 6 October. The event also serves as the traditional occasion for presenting the Nancy Brinker Ambassador Scholarship.
For her work as Ambassador, Brinker was awarded the Order of Merit, Medium Class, Cross with Star, in recognition of her efforts to advance bilateral relations and her charitable activities.
Following the end of her mandate in Hungary, Brinker served as Chief of Protocol of the United States from 2007 until the conclusion of the George W Bush administration. In 2011 she was appointed a Goodwill Ambassador for Cancer Control by the World Health Organization.
David Cornstein
Like Brinker, David Cornstein has already served as Ambassador to Hungary during the first Trump administration, from 2018 to 2020. The 86-year-old diplomat stood in stark contrast to Pressman: during his tenure, he frequently defended Viktor Orbán’s government and Hungary against criticism of the country.
Cornstein has repeatedly expressed views similar to Orbán’s during the current election campaign. For instance, in April, he stated that Trump is the only person who can end the war in Ukraine—a message that Orbán has often echoed. Even after his tenure in Hungary ended, Cornstein continued to stand by Budapest. In an opinion piece published by Newsmax in October 2021, he noted that Hungary’s economy is thriving, and the cost of living is approximately half of that of other European countries. He described Hungary as a ‘beautiful country’ with ‘wonderful people’ who are fond of Americans. He also praised Hungary’s migration policy in the same article.
Bryan Leib
Bryan Leib stands out from the list of three, as, unlike the other two potential candidates, he has not yet served as an ambassador in Budapest. Leib was previously a Congressional candidate in his home state of Florida and is currently a Senior Fellow at the Budapest-based conservative think tank, the Center for Fundamental Rights. He is also a frequent visitor to our beautiful country.
In recent years, Leib has consistently engaged with Hungary, addressing criticisms of the Hungarian government and providing responses to them. A fierce critic of David Pressman and an active politican on X, his posts frequently challenge the ambassador’s often outrageous statements that have damaged bilateral relations. ‘The Hungarian people and government can rest assured that whomever President-elect Trump selects as his next Ambassador to Hungary will be the polar opposite of Pressman,’ he wrote most recently, following Pressman’s attack on the Hungarian government on the eve of Donald Trump’s electoral victory.
He added: ‘It’s no secret that I would be honored to serve in that role. It’s time to make US–Hungarian Relations Great Again!’
Leib’s ambassadorial ambitions were also supported by Fox News’ Leo Terrell, who wrote on X: ‘President Trump, I endorse Bryan to serve as your Ambassador to Hungary!’
Leib also gave an interview to Hungarian Conservative before the election, in which he accurately predicted Trump’s landslide victory. After the election he made another prediction, this time on X: ‘Under the Trump administration, Hungary will become one of the powerhouses in Europe.’
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