White Nationalists Enroll in Hungarian Cultural Course: A Case of Unvetted Admissions

White Nationalists Enroll in Hungarian Cultural Course: A Case of Unvetted Admissions

Unveiling the Unusual Summer School Participants

Recently, two American white nationalists, Greg Johnson and David Michael Zsutty, enrolled in a four-week Hungarian cultural program at the ELTE Budapest Summer University. The program, known for its openness to foreign students interested in learning Hungarian and becoming familiar with Hungarian culture, faced a unique situation. The admission criteria for this course were minimal, with the only requirement being the completion of an application form. Prospective students did not undergo any preliminary vetting process.

Interestingly, Johnson and Zsutty, who were assigned to the beginner’s group, applied for the course under their real names without the use of aliases. This straightforward approach, however, did not conceal their identities for long. One of the foreign students noted Johnson’s email address, linked to the Counter-Currents website, revealing his identity as an American racial protector.

Counter-Currents: A Platform for White Nationalism

The Counter-Currents website reaches nearly half a million people each month, with Johnson having close ties with international far-right movements, specifically in Europe. The website is one of the publishers known for reprinting works by European far-right authors, such as Hitler-enthusiast Savitri Devi. Johnson’s ideology revolves around the notion of a white ethno-state, a “state form” in which only whites would be allowed to reside or hold citizenship, thereby excluding non-whites and Jews.

ELTE’s Response to the Unusual Enrollment

Upon receiving notification of Johnson’s identity, ELTE launched an investigation into the matter, as revealed by correspondence obtained by Radio Free Europe. However, the investigation concluded that the university’s code of ethics does not apply to program participants. This result led to the other students deciding not to attend the graduation ceremony, a decision that reached ELTE management. Consequently, it was decided not to hold a closing ceremony at all.

Implications of the Incident

The incident raises questions about the openness of the ELTE Budapest Summer University and its lack of a thorough vetting process for prospective students. It also highlights the potential for such educational platforms to be misused by individuals with controversial ideologies. The incident serves as a reminder for educational institutions worldwide to maintain a robust screening process to uphold their reputation and ensure the safety and welfare of their students.