Rep. Mike Levin Calls for Investigation into Hungarian Funds Funneled to CPAC

April 28, 2026 Rep. Mike Levin Calls for Investigation into Hungarian Funds Funneled to CPAC Outgoing Hungarian Prime Minister’s Government Allegedly Gave Donations to Trump-Aligned Political Organization Washington, D.C.— Rep. Mike Levin (CA-49) is calling for an investigation into allegations that the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) received public funds from Hungary’s government under the leadership of outgoing Prime Minister Viktor Orbán. In a letter to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), Federal Election Commission (FEC), and the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ), Rep. Levin called on the agencies to use their respective investigative powers to determine whether any campaign finance, tax, or foreign agent registration laws were violated by these contributions. CPAC hosts major nationwide political events that attract Republican political candidates, elected officials, and more. On April 13, 2026, Hungarian Prime Minister-Elect Péter Magyar announced that the country’s government under Orbán diverted Hungarian taxpayer money to CPAC and that the country’s authorities will be investigating. Allegations that any foreign government directly funded major political and electoral activities in the U.S. undermine confidence in our elections and must be treated accordingly. Read the full letter here or below: Dear Mr. Bisignano, Chair Broussard, and Acting Attorney General Blanche, I write to express serious concern with recent allegations made by Hungarian Prime Minister-Elect Péter Magyar that the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) received public funds from the country’s former government. Allegations that any foreign government – much less one that was willing to do the bidding of the Russian Federation – directly funded flagship political and electoral infrastructure here in the U.S. is a direct attack on the integrity of American democracy. I request that your agencies proactively cooperate with the Hungarian government and exercise your relevant investigative and enforcement powers to determine swiftly and thoroughly whether any campaign finance, tax, or foreign agent registration laws were violated. On Monday, April 13, Hungarian Prime Minister-Elect Péter Magyar announced that the country’s previous government, under the leadership of Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, diverted Hungarian taxpayer money to CPAC, which hosts major political events attracting conservative candidates, elected officials, and media. Prime Minister-Elect Magyar announced that his country’s authorities will be investigating this “criminal offense.” At best, these recent allegations create the appearance that a foreign government is undermining the integrity of our electoral system by funding major political activities. At worst, this is illegal. Budapest has hosted CPAC Hungary each year since 2022. President Trump has provided remarks at CPAC Hungary several times in his capacities as both a political candidate and officeholder. In 2024, presidential candidate Trump delivered remarks to the conference, at which Prime Minister Orbán declared “Go Donald Trump…and let the electoral battle begin.” As you may know, CPAC is organized by the American Conservative Union (ACU), which includes 501(c)(4) and 501(c)(3) entities and an affiliated political action committee. Federal campaign finance law is unambiguous: foreign money is banned from U.S. elections. Political candidates, campaigns, and political action committees are barred from soliciting or accepting contributions or another “thing of value” from foreign governments, and foreign governments are prohibited from making any independent election expenditure or electioneering communication. These laws are intended to safeguard against foreign interference and ensure that candidates for public office represent the interests of their constituents, not other governments. Federal law also prohibits 501(c)(3) organizations from directly or indirectly participating in campaign activities. Together, these laws protect the voice and vote of American citizens and shield civil society from outside influence. Prime Minister-Elect Magyar’s claims are especially concerning in light of Prime Minister Orbán’s pledge to be at the service of Russian authoritarian Vladimir Putin. These allegations are also surfacing at a time when the Trump Administration is actively dismantling the very safeguards that counter foreign interference in American politics. This includes the closure of the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Foreign Influence Task Force and the DOJ’s February 2025 memorandum scaling back enforcement of foreign agent registration laws. These actions signal to foreign governments intent on undermining American democracy that they are welcome to keep trying. Given the Hungarian Prime Minister-Elect’s troubling claims and his announcement that Hungarian authorities will be investigating, I respectfully request answers to the following questions: Will your agency coordinate with Hungarian authorities to investigate whether CPAC received foreign government funds, in what amounts, and for which CPAC recipient? Will your agency investigate whether Hungarian government funds received by CPAC have been used for election or political activities, travel by political candidates or public officials, or electioneering communications in the United States in violation of any federal laws? If not, will your agency investigate what these funds were used for? Has the Internal Revenue Service conducted any auditing or enforcement actions to ensure that CPAC Hungary adheres to restrictions on political activities by charitable organizations? Does the acceptance of foreign government contributions by CPAC and its annual event in Hungary satisfy the requirements for registration under the Foreign Agent Registration Act? These concerns are not about any one candidate, campaign, or committee. They are about the integrity of our nation’s elections and the health of American democracy. The American people deserve to know that their vote matters and their voice is heard. These allegations demand a swift and thorough response by your agency to ensure a zero-tolerance approach to foreign interference in American politics. Sincerely, MIKE LEVIN Member of Congress ### Print Email Share Tweet