WASHINGTON — Sen. Chris Coons, a Democrat from Delaware, sharply criticized President Donald Trump on Friday, accusing him of taking "concrete actions that hurt Americans" through policies that favor authoritarian leaders abroad while imposing tariffs that drive up everyday costs at home.
Appearing on MSNBC's "The Weeknight," Coons highlighted Trump's recent meeting with Hungary's authoritarian leader and his imposition of steep tariffs on Brazil as examples of decisions that undermine U.S. interests and democratic allies. The senator's remarks come amid ongoing debates over Trump's foreign policy approach, which has drawn scrutiny for its apparent admiration for strongman figures.
Coons pointed to the U.S. and Europe's joint sanctions against Russia following its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, contrasting that unity with Trump's current stance. "Europe and the United States came together around sanctions on Putin and Putin’s Russia when they launched a brutal invasion of all of Ukraine, not their initial invasion in 2014, but the full scale invasion in 2022," Coons said. He emphasized that Russian President Vladimir Putin's war efforts are largely funded by oil exports, making sanctions a critical tool in curbing aggression.
The senator expressed concern over Trump's Oval Office meeting with Hungary's leader, whom he described as an authoritarian figure within the European Union. According to Coons, this leader has been "backsliding on democracy," including oppressing or arresting journalists and undermining the foundations of a free society. "Hungary’s authoritarian leader was in the oval today asking our president for a special exemption and for some encouragement and support in his reelection," Coons stated. "Now, this is the leading person, the leading authoritarian in Europe other than Putin, but member of EU who is backsliding on democracy, who’s oppressed or arrested journalists, who’s knocked out some of the core underpinnings of a free and fair society and President Trump is saying these things about him."
Coons suggested that Trump's actions indicate a misunderstanding of both international sanctions and democratic principles. "I think it suggests both that he doesn’t understand how sanctions work and that he doesn’t understand how a democracy works," he added. The meeting reportedly involved discussions of exemptions from sanctions, potentially weakening the unified front against Russia.
Beyond rhetoric, Coons accused Trump of implementing policies with direct economic repercussions for Americans. He cited the 50% tariffs imposed on Brazil as punishment for the country's actions against former President Jair Bolsonaro, whom Trump has praised. "President Trump isn’t just expressing admiration for Putin, he isn’t just expressing admiration for Milei of Argentina or for Bolsonaro, he’s taking concrete actions that hurt Americans," Coons said. "The price of coffee has gone up dramatically because of the 50% tariffs that he’s imposed on Brazil, to punish them for going after Bolsonaro for his anti-democratic actions."
So there’s lots of ways in which he’s not just saying, I want to emulate these authoritarians, he’s also acting against countries that are our democratic partners. In a world where Canada is actively disfavored and Hungary, elevated. you have to question our president’s commitment to democracy.
These tariffs, according to Coons, exemplify how Trump's favoritism toward authoritarian figures translates into policies that elevate costs for U.S. consumers. Brazil is a major global supplier of coffee, and the 50% duties have reportedly contributed to a spike in prices, affecting households nationwide. The measures stem from Brazil's legal pursuits against Bolsonaro for his alleged anti-democratic activities following his time in office.
To provide context, Trump's admiration for leaders like Putin, Argentina's Javier Milei, and Bolsonaro has been a recurring theme in his public statements. Milei, elected in 2023, has implemented aggressive economic reforms, while Bolsonaro, who served as Brazil's president from 2019 to 2023, faced investigations for his role in challenging the 2022 election results. Trump's support for such figures has often been framed as a preference for "strong" leadership, though critics like Coons argue it erodes alliances with democratic nations.
The Hungary meeting likely refers to Viktor Orban, the country's prime minister since 2010, known for his nationalist policies and tensions with the EU over rule-of-law issues. Orban has been accused by human rights groups of curtailing press freedoms and judicial independence. His visit to the White House on Friday, as mentioned by Coons, included requests for support in his reelection bid and potential sanctions relief related to Russia, given Hungary's occasional divergence from EU consensus on Ukraine.
Coons' comments build on broader concerns about Trump's foreign policy since his inauguration in January 2025. The president has repeatedly questioned the value of NATO and traditional alliances, favoring bilateral deals with leaders he admires. For instance, Trump's administration has imposed tariffs on several countries, including Canada, which Coons referenced as being "actively disfavored." These actions have sparked debates in Congress, with Democrats pushing for oversight on trade and sanctions policies.
While the White House has not directly responded to Coons' specific remarks, Trump has defended his approach in recent speeches, emphasizing America First policies that prioritize U.S. economic interests over what he calls "globalist" entanglements. Supporters argue that tariffs protect domestic industries and pressure adversaries, though economists have warned of inflationary effects, as seen with the rising coffee prices.
The Ukraine conflict provides essential background: Russia's annexation of Crimea in 2014 led to initial sanctions, but the 2022 invasion prompted a more robust international response, including energy embargoes. Putin has relied on oil revenues to sustain military operations, with exports to non-Western markets helping evade some restrictions. Hungary, under Orban, has occasionally blocked or delayed EU aid to Ukraine, aligning with Trump's skepticism toward prolonged U.S. involvement.
Experts in international relations have noted that Trump's elevation of figures like Orban could strain transatlantic ties. A report from the Council on Foreign Relations earlier this year highlighted risks to democratic norms if the U.S. appears to endorse authoritarian backsliding in allied nations. Coons' critique echoes these concerns, framing Trump's actions as not just verbal but materially harmful.
Looking ahead, the implications of these policies could extend to upcoming elections and trade negotiations. With Hungary's next parliamentary elections potentially in 2026, Orban's White House visit may bolster his domestic standing. Meanwhile, U.S. consumers facing higher costs for imports like coffee may pressure lawmakers to address tariff impacts. Congressional hearings on foreign policy are slated for later this month, where figures like Coons are expected to press for greater transparency. As debates intensify, the divide between Trump's supporters and critics underscores ongoing tensions over America's role in promoting democracy worldwide.