“If America can be the epicentre of the rebirth of classical Western values, then Hungary is its Central European counterpart,” declared Dave Rubin, the American influencer, in his exclusive episode recorded at the Danube Institute. During his visit to Budapest he also met Prime Minister Viktor Orbán.
The occasion was all the more special because the show, watched by millions worldwide, marked the first stop on the commentator’s latest tour, which also includes Tel Aviv and Jerusalem.
Rubin, who is also appearing at CPAC 2025, has already posted a video about Budapest on X.
At the sold-out event the audience particularly appreciated the host’s observations praising Hungary and its prime minister:
“Viktor Orbán confronted an incredibly powerful machine, the same one Donald Trump faced. And you are part of this fight as long as you dare to stand up to woke ideology: whether in school for the sake of your children, at university or in any social group where this madness has taken root.”
He added:
“In more than a decade of my work I have never been as hopeful as I am now, when I meet people like you. Believe me, there is a chance to fix the world!”
He sees the way to do this in successfully combining the values of classical liberalism with conservatism in the future.
Dave Rubin also spoke about how much of Western Europe is in deep crisis and its inhabitants have “given up their countries”, but the Hungarians have succeeded in preserving common sense, traditional values and national consciousness.
Rubin personally met and spoke for an hour with Viktor Orbán – which even made him late – whom he described as “impressive”.
“It is complete madness that Hungary has to pay a daily fine of one million euros because it wants to protect its own nation, which it has every right to do,” the host stated. He believes it is up to the Hungarians to decide who is Hungarian, and not the European Union, which is “working against us”.
In his view, if the United States under Donald Trump’s leadership can once again play a leading role in the world, particularly in the fight for freedom of speech and against illegal immigration, then the rest of the world will follow our example.
Dave Rubin also noted that the current Budapest reminds him of his own home in Florida, where “safety and competent governance” also prevail. The audience received the host’s observation with applause; many nodded and agreed with his remark that to an outsider it is perfectly clear this is a beautiful place where it is good to live.
Hungarian and foreign conservative star parade
During the show the guests discussed topics such as
freedom of speech,
political correctness,
the future of conservative values, and
current issues in international politics and culture.
For example, bestselling author Rod Dreher, head of the Danube Institute Network Project and a contributor to our newspaper, spoke about his experiences in Hungary.
He said it is no accident that Hungary is now his home, because “it is not at all like the American media and the previous administration painted it”.
He added: “I am glad that Hungary is no longer a secret to the West and America, and that its good reputation is spreading.”
Dave Rubin is an American media personality, political commentator and host of the video programme The Rubin Report. He began his career as a stand-up comedian, then worked at the progressive The Young Turks network, before his worldview gradually turned in a conservative direction. In his show he regularly gives a platform to right-wing thinkers such as Jordan Peterson or Ben Shapiro. Openly gay, he lives in a marriage and often speaks out on the subjects of freedom of speech, identity politics and woke culture. He has also written a book entitled Don’t Burn This Book.
Gábor Szűcs is currently an analyst at the 21st Century Institute and a political commentator for Megafon.
