JD Vance blasted for saying Viktor Orban’s crackdown on Hungarian universities should be 'a model for us'

WASHINGTON, DC: JD Vance has been slammed online after he commended controversial Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban and his way of taking control of the universities in 2021.

The US Senator sat down with CBS News’ Margaret Brennan on Sunday, May 19, where he said, as reported by The Wrap, “I think his way has to be the model for us, not to eliminate universities, but to give the choice between survival or taking a much less biased approach to teaching.”

JD Vance claims US universities are under the control of the left

When Brennan mentioned that Orban “seized control of state universities and put them in foundations that were then run by his allies,” Vance replied by saying that the US universities are “controlled by left-wing foundations”.

He continued that the universities in America are “not controlled by the American taxpayer, and yet the American taxpayer is sending hundreds of billions of dollars to these universities every single year.”

The 39-year-old venture capitalist also noted, “They educate our children, they produce important intellectual property, they get a lot of money because of it.

“But if they’re not educating our children well, and they’re layering the next generation down in mountains of student debt, then they’re not meeting their end of the bargain.”

Vance's remarks came in the wake of protests on American campuses over Israel's war on Gaza, which has claimed the lives of thousands of Palestinians. The protesters reportedly demanded that their colleges and universities sever financial ties with Israel or firms getting financial benefits due to its Gaza invasion.

JD Vance says he does not know about Viktor Orban’s alleged wrong ways

However, when Brennan listed Orban’s other ways of allegedly misusing power, like his attempt to control the media, or “rewriting" the constitution of Hungary, Vance said, “I don’t know everything he’s ever done.”

He further explained, “What I do think is on the university principle, the idea that taxpayers should have some influence in how their money is spent at these universities, it’s a totally reasonable thing.”

“And I do think that he’s made some smart decisions there that we could learn from in the United States,” Vance asserted.

Internet calls JD Vance a ‘clown’

Meanwhile, many people took issue with Vance’s statements as a reader commented below the New York Post article, “Only if you want the US to become North Korea where free speech does not exist. I do not.”

“He really, really, really wants to be Trump's choice for VP,” the second one mentioned.

The third one said, “Does he really think that’s what moderates and independents want? If you’re a right winger, sure you love it, but the GOP needs to win some votes from the moderates and independents, and every Democrat on the ballot is going to hang this around Republicans' necks as authoritarianism. Might have been best if Vance just kept this one to himself until after the election.”

The fourth one noted, “Like Autocrat Donald Trump, Autocrat J. D. Vance is a 'clear & present danger' to our American Democracy & written Constitution. #VoteBiden.”

“Vance is a clown. Was a member of the never Trump club and only changed his tune after announcing his candidacy for the Senate. These guys are all the same and praising dictators because your politics are losing the culture war is gross,” the fifth one added.

An X user tweeted, "Disgusting this is what far right extremism wants. Take notes folks it’s not just talk it’s how they truly feel. #America."

The second user wrote, "Let's not sugar coat it. This is how pro fascists think."

"Project 2025. He is openly disavowing our Constitution. He is saying an autocracy is okay. This is treason to the oath he took," a tweet read.

This article contains remarks made on the Internet by individual people and organizations. MEAWW cannot confirm them independently and does not support claims or opinions being made online.