### Trump and Orbán Confer Ahead of Election as Polls Show Tight Races in Swing States

Former President Donald Trump recently discussed the upcoming election with Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, despite some prominent Republicans' disapproval of the autocratic leader. Orbán shared the details of their conversation on social media, expressing his support for Trump: "Just got off the phone with President @realDonaldTrump. I wished him the best of luck for next Tuesday. Only five days to go. Fingers crossed."

Trump and Orbán have developed a rapport, meeting multiple times, most recently this summer at Trump’s Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida. Orbán has been vocal about his desire for change in U.S. leadership, dubbing Trump "the man of peace" during a summer interview with the Axel Springer media outlets.

However, Orbán's controversial tenure has earned him criticism from within the Republican ranks. Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell condemned the adulation some American conservatives show towards Orbán, criticizing Hungary’s political shift away from Western democratic principles.

In the United States, the race for the presidency is proving to be tightly contested in key battleground states. A CNN poll indicates that Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris are nearly even in Georgia and North Carolina. In Georgia, Trump garners 48 percent of the likely voters' support, with Harris close behind at 47 percent. These numbers are a reversal from CNN's August poll showing Harris leading Trump 48 to 47 percent. North Carolina presents a similarly close race, with Harris leading slightly at 48 percent compared to Trump’s 47 percent. These polls have margins of error of about 4.7 percent for Georgia and 4.5 percent for North Carolina.

Meanwhile, the gubernatorial contest in North Carolina is less competitive. Democrat Josh Stein is significantly ahead of Republican Mark Robinson, polling at 53 percent compared to Robinson's 37 percent. The political landscape is shifting, and every poll shows the importance of each vote in these crucial states.

In California, Democrats are intensifying efforts to claim the Los Angeles area seat currently held by Republican Rep. Mike Garcia. Garcia, who has consistently won against Democratic opponents since his initial special election victory in 2020, now faces space industry veteran George Whitesides. Recent polling by California pollsters shows Whitesides holding a slight lead at 48 to 46 percent over Garcia.

Both Republicans and Democrats view this seat as pivotal for control of the House. Whitesides has outraised Garcia significantly, with $2.8 million in the third quarter compared to Garcia's $1.1 million. The district, which President Joe Biden won in 2020, is a key battleground, with issues such as cost of living, prescription drug prices, and abortion rights dominating the discourse.

The political atmosphere remains charged as candidates and voters alike brace for an election that could reshape the nation's trajectory.