Fake article links Hungarian opposition leader to Trump insult amid Russian disinformation campaign
Research links a fabricated article claiming Hungary’s opposition leader Péter Magyar insulted Donald Trump to Storm-1516, a Russian disinformation operation ahead of Hungary’s elections.
Germany’s Foreign Minister condemned Russian disinformation tactics, asserting the need for robust measures against campaigns like Storm-1516 aimed at undermining democratic processes.
Hungary’s parliamentary elections are scheduled for 12 April, where Péter Magyar’s Tisza Party will face off against current Prime Minister Viktor Orbán.
Briefing summary
A false article claiming Hungarian opposition leader Péter Magyar insulted Donald Trump is circulating, attributed to Storm-1516, a Russian disinformation campaign. The fabricated claims include derogatory remarks about Trump and intentions to reverse agreements with the US.
The video spreading these claims has gained traction on social media, with researchers linking it to Storm-1516’s pattern of activity during election cycles. This initiative has targeted various election campaigns, including the upcoming parliamentary elections in Hungary.
In previous instances, Storm-1516 has been involved in disseminating misleading information during Germany’s elections. Meanwhile, Magyar has accused Hungary’s secret service of interfering with his campaign ahead of the elections on 12 April.
Pro-Kremlin disinformation network takes aim at Hungary’s elections
A fake EU News-style article and website claiming that Hungary’s opposition leader Péter Magyar insulted Donald Trump is circulating online as part of a wider campaign researchers have linked to Storm-1516, a Russian disinformation operation.
Among other false claims, the article says Magyar called Trump a “senile grandpa” and promised to undo “key agreements” made with the US, should Magyar win parliamentary elections in Hungary scheduled on 12 April.
The article’s contents are fabricated and the website it appeared on have no connection to EU News.
A video report that repeats the claim using EU News’ branding is also circulating on social media. The Cube, EU News’ fact-checking team, found examples of this clip circulating since Monday evening, some with thousands of views.
Researchers at Antibot for Navalny, a collective that tracks Russian bot networks online, told The Cube that the post was part of Storm-1516, a prolific Russian disinformation campaign that spreads claims online that further the interests of the Russian government.
The group are typically active during election campaigns, having spread false claims about Democratic Party candidates in the 2024 US presidential election and during Germany’s February 2025 elections.
In December, Germany’s Foreign Minister summoned the country’s Russian ambassador over allegations of repeated Russian hybrid attempts in Germany including allegations that Storm 1516 actively spread disinformation during the country’s general elections.
At the time, the campaign focused on Chancellor candidate for the Greens, Robert Habeck, and current German Chancellor Friedrich Merz.
Hungary’s upcoming parliamentary elections will see Magyar’s Tisza Party pitted against current Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán.
Magyar has accused Hungary’s secret service of targeting his party’s campaign systems just weeks before the election date in a hostile election campaign in which polls suggest his party is ahead.
Orbán, meanwhile, has become embroiled in scandal in Brussels after a Washington Post investigation revealed Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó regularly leaked sensitive information from high-level European Union meetings to Moscow.
Orbán has maintained close ties to the Kremlin despite the resistance of other European leaders and has utilised Hungary’s veto power to block key decisions on European aid to Ukraine.