“Farewell, My Friend”: Viktor Orbán Pays Tribute to Martial Arts Legend Chuck Norris Following Actor’s Death at 86

Hungarian PM Viktor Orbán pays tribute to Chuck Norris, calling him a friend after the actor's death at 86. The tribute recalls their 2018 "street fighter" meeting.

By: AXL Media

Published: Mar 20, 2026, 6:21 PM EDT

Source: Information for this report was sourced from Politico Europe

A Meeting of "Street Fighters" in Budapest

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán took to social media on Friday to honor the memory of Chuck Norris, the world karate champion and action movie star who passed away at the age of 86. Accompanying his message, "Farewell, my friend," was a video documenting the actor’s high profile visit to Hungary in November 2018. In the shared footage, Orbán describes himself to the Walker, Texas Ranger star as a "street fighter" who rose from outside the traditional elite. The video highlights a moment of mutual admiration as Orbán introduces Norris to Hungary’s anti terrorism units, an elite squad that Norris praised as the best demonstration of tactical training he had witnessed globally.

Political Parallels and Shared Conservatism

The relationship between the Hungarian leader and the American actor was rooted in a shared conservative world view. During their 2018 encounter, Norris noted the similarities between Orbán’s political persona and that of Donald Trump, a comparison Orbán accepted and even amplified. Norris was a steadfast supporter of the Republican party and a vocal advocate for the Trump administration, often calling on citizens to rally behind the American president’s "freedom loving" agenda. For Orbán, the association with Norris served as a cultural bridge to the American right, reinforcing his image as a leader who prioritizes traditional values and national security over liberal internationalism.

Isolation in Brussels Amid Ukraine Loan Dispute

The timing of the tribute is notable, coming immediately after a contentious European Council summit in Brussels. Orbán remains at the center of a diplomatic firestorm within the European Union due to his refusal to support a €90 billion loan intended for Ukraine. His stance has drawn sharp criticism from fellow European leaders, including European Council President António Costa, who described Hungary’s obstructionist position as completely unacceptable. As the war in Ukraine and the concurrent conflict with Iran continue to dominate the EU agenda, Orbán’s defense of his "street fighter" persona underscores the deepening divide between Budapest and the rest of the bloc.