President Donald Trump and former President Barack Obama were publicly at odds again this week following elections in Hungary, where the administration-backed candidate, former Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, was defeated by opposition candidate Péter Magyar.

Ahead of the vote, the Trump administration sent Vice President JD Vance to Hungary in a last-minute effort to bolster support, but the move appeared to have little impact, as Magyar secured a decisive victory.

Following the outcome, Obama reacted on X, writing:
“The victory of the opposition in Hungary yesterday, like the Polish election in 2023, is a victory for democracy, not just in Europe but around the world. Most of all, it’s a testament to the resilience and determination of the Hungarian people – and a reminder to all of us to keep striving for fairness, equality and the rule of law.”

Orbán had governed Hungary for 16 years, winning each of his elections through the democratic process.

The political tension between Obama and Trump has extended beyond Hungary. Obama has recently supported redistricting efforts in states such as Virginia and California, while opposing similar moves in Texas, Missouri, and other Republican-led states.

He also drew criticism for remarks made following the death of civil rights leader Jesse Jackson, where he used the moment to criticize the Trump administration and Republicans more broadly. His comments reportedly drew a rebuke from Jesse Jackson Jr..

Earlier this month, Trump and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth criticized Obama over past financial dealings with Iran, arguing that funds transferred during the nuclear agreement enabled Tehran to expand its military capabilities, including missile and drone programs used against U.S. and allied targets.

The criticism comes as the United States and Israel continue Operation Epic Fury, a military campaign aimed at degrading Iran’s military infrastructure amid claims that Tehran is rebuilding its nuclear weapons program.

Speaking at the FII PRIORITY Summit, Trump sharply criticized Obama’s nuclear agreement with Iran, which he withdrew from during his first term.

“That Barack Hussein Obama, did you ever hear of him? Barack Hussein Obama, he had the Iran nuclear deal. He went to Iran, he paid them,” Trump said. “Remember, he sent two Boeing 757 jetliners. They took the seats out and they piled it with cash, like 1.7 billion of cash.”

“That’s when I realized the president is very powerful. The presidency is a very powerful thing when you can do that. I haven’t done that yet. I haven’t found a reason to do that yet, but that’s big,” he added.

At the time, Obama defended the $1.7 billion payment, stating that the funds were part of a legal settlement tied to a failed arms deal dating back to 1979, following the Iranian Revolution that led to the overthrow of the Shah and the hostage crisis involving American citizens.

“You know, there wasn’t a bank in DC, Virginia, or Maryland that had any money after that disaster,” Trump said.

“But they sent the cash to Iran, but more importantly, they signed an agreement, the Iran nuclear deal, which, if I didn’t terminate it in my first term, I terminated it almost immediately. If I didn’t terminate it, they would have had a nuclear weapon long ago, and they would have used it on the Middle East, Israel,” the commander-in-chief further stated.

Donald Trump announced that the Strait of Hormuz would be “permanently open” following private discussions with Chinese President Xi Jinping, claiming that China had agreed to stop supplying weapons to Iran.

The president made the statement Wednesday on Truth Social, where he also said Xi would give him “a big, fat, hug” at an upcoming meeting.

“China is very happy that I am permanently opening the Strait of Hormuz,” Trump wrote. “I am doing it for them, also – And the World. This situation will never happen again.”

Trump continued: “They have agreed not to send weapons to Iran. President Xi will give me a big fat hug when I get there in a few weeks.

“We are working together smartly, and very well! Doesn’t that beat fighting??? BUT REMEMBER, we are very good at fighting, if we have to – far better than anyone else!!!”

The announcement came after peace talks with Iran collapsed over the weekend. In response, Trump ordered a naval blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, a vital oil transit route through which roughly one-fifth of the world’s supply passes.

The blockade was intended to pressure Tehran back into negotiations, as Trump has reportedly been reluctant to resume a broader bombing campaign that has already destabilized parts of the Middle East.

It remains unclear whether Trump’s statement signaled an immediate reopening of the strait to shipping traffic or a longer-term objective tied to ongoing negotiations.

Trump and Xi are expected to meet at a diplomatic summit in Beijing in mid-May, where they are set to discuss trade tariffs and U.S. access to rare earth minerals. The meeting would mark Trump’s first major foreign trip since the conflict with Iran began.

China, along with Russia, has supported Iran during the five-week conflict, providing satellite imagery and intelligence that Iranian forces have used to target U.S. military installations with missiles and drones.

In the past 24 hours, U.S. forces reportedly blocked six oil tankers from passing through the strait. Meanwhile, the Pentagon is preparing to deploy approximately 6,000 additional troops to the region aboard the USS George H.W. Bush and other warships.

Beijing has criticized the blockade, with Xi calling it “dangerous and irresponsible” and warning that the world must not “revert to the law of the jungle.”

Following the outbreak of hostilities, Iran responded by disrupting traffic through the strait using explosive speedboats, drones, and naval mines. Tehran has also attempted to impose informal tolls on passing oil tankers, allowing certain countries such as China and India to pass more freely while restricting Western vessels.

The economic impact has been significant, with gas prices rising sharply in the United States. The national average has climbed to around $4.10 per gallon as crude oil prices remain above $100 per barrel.

Trump suggested Wednesday that a resolution could be near.

“You’re going to be watching an amazing two days ahead,” he said during a phone call with ABC News.

“They really do have a different regime now. No matter what, we took out the radicals. They’re gone, no longer with us,” Trump said.

“If I weren’t President, the world would be torn to pieces.”

Negotiations broke down over U.S. demands that Iran fully abandon its nuclear program. Washington called for a 20-year halt to uranium enrichment and the transfer of Iran’s entire stockpile.

Iranian officials proposed a five-year pause instead but refused to relinquish control of their uranium reserves.

Shortly after, Vice President JD Vance, along with special envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, confirmed that no agreement had been reached after more than 20 hours of talks.