One of the tricks used by Hungarian diplomats is to walk up to a prominent US politician, snap a photo as proof of their “close relationship” and distribute it with a misleading caption.
A couple of days ago an American Red Cross charity ball was held at Mar-a-Lago, the sprawling Palm Beach, Florida, estate owned by Donald Trump. The President and his wife Melania were there with several hundred guests who donated thousands of dollars just to get in. Several Ambassadors were also present.
This was strictly a charity event, a fundraiser for the Red Cross. The funds will be used, among other things, for “offering aid to those affected by Trump’s moratorium on the U.S. refugee program.”
Yes, you read that right. President Trump and other dignitaries of his administration are supporting a charity event to raise funds to assist those who are suffering as a consequence of Trump’s presidential order. There were no political statements and no issues discussed; the theme of the lavish black-tie evening was “Vienna to Versailles.”
Ms. Réka Szemerkényi, Hungary’s ambassador to Washington, donated a couple of thousand dollars and got an invitation. She snapped up a quick photo with the President and distributed it with the surprising caption: “Discussing upcoming visits of Hungarian PM Orbán and MFAT Szijjártó and strengthening bilateral relations with @realDonaldTrump and @FLOTUS.”
Discussion? There has been no official word from the White House that President Trump, or anyone from his administration, discussed anything related to the visit of the authoritarian Hungarian leader.
Throughout the night noisy demonstrators gathered at the gates of Mar-a-Lago. One sign read: “Make America great again – Resign!”
György Lázár