Hungary’s Orbán Stakes Reelection on AI and Ukraine Disinformation

[00:00] Announcer: From Neural Newscast, this is the briefing for Thursday, February 26th, 2026. [00:09] Announcer: I am joined by Daniel. [00:11] Announcer: It is good to be here with Cole. [00:13] Announcer: Today we look at the use of AI-generated disinformation in Hungary's upcoming elections. [00:20] Announcer: Prime Minister Victor Orban is framing the European Union and Ukraine as existential threats to national security. [00:29] Announcer: We also cover the release of Bridgerton's Season 4 Part 2. [00:33] Announcer: The conclusion of Benedict's story dropped on Netflix this morning. [00:36] Announcer: It brings the social season to a close with a high-stakes romance. [00:40] Announcer: Well, in Hungary, Prime Minister Viktor Orban is centering his April 12th re-election bid on an aggressive anti-Ukraine platform. [00:49] Announcer: Publicly funded billboards across the country now display AI-generated images of President Volodymyr Zelensky. [00:56] Announcer: These images appear to show the Ukrainian leader demanding money from European officials. [01:02] Announcer: The Fidesz party claims that continued support for Ukraine will bankrupt the nation. [01:07] Announcer: They also suggest it will lead to the deaths of Hungarian youth. [01:11] Announcer: Orbán's party is currently trailing in most independent polls to an upstart challenger named Pater Magyar, [01:17] Announcer: To amplify the message, the government released a synthetic video depicting a fictional soldier being executed on a battlefield. [01:25] Announcer: This disinformation campaign suggests that the European Union plans to forcibly conscript Hungarians to fight Russia. [01:33] Announcer: Security measures are also tightening around power plants and other energy facilities. [01:38] Announcer: Officials vow to veto any further pro-Ukraine policies until Russian oil flows resume. [01:44] Announcer: Turning now to entertainment, the second half of Bridgerton Season 4 arrived on Netflix earlier this morning. [01:51] Announcer: These final four episodes resolve the romantic cliffhanger between Benedict Bridgerton and Sophie Baek. [01:57] Announcer: Actor Luke Thompson teased that the characters had completely misunderstood each other in the [02:02] Announcer: first part of the season. [02:04] Announcer: The story now explores whether the couple can find their way back together despite the [02:08] Announcer: social divide. [02:09] Announcer: The production returns to the world of Mayfair after spending time at the Bridgerton Cottage. [02:15] Announcer: Fans will also see the return of Jonathan Bailey as Viscount Anthony Bridgeton. [02:20] Announcer: This release concludes the eight-episode arc that initially premiered on January 29th. [02:25] Cole Mercer: The series continues to blend traditional period drama with a Cinderella-style fairy tale. [02:34] Cole Mercer: It features Lady Whistledown as the primary narrator of the scandals of the ton. [02:42] Announcer: Netflix's decision to split the season into two parts has become a standard strategy for its flagship series. [02:49] Announcer: This approach maintains viewer interest over a longer period in a crowded streaming landscape. [02:55] Announcer: Thank you for joining us for this update. [02:57] Announcer: Neural Newscast is AI-assisted, human-reviewed. [03:00] Announcer: View our AI transparency policy at neuralnewscast.com. [03:05] Daniel Brooks: Neural Newscast uses artificial intelligence in content creation [03:08] Daniel Brooks: with human editorial review prior to publication. [03:12] Daniel Brooks: While we strive for factual, unbiased reporting, [03:15] Daniel Brooks: AI-assisted content may occasionally contain errors. [03:18] Daniel Brooks: Verify critical information with trusted sources. [03:21] Daniel Brooks: Learn more at neuralnewscast.com.