Bryan Leib is a Senior Fellow at the Budapest-based think tank Center for Fundamental Rights and the founder and CEO of the Florida-based PR firm Henry Public Relations. In addition to being the top contender to be the next US Ambassador to Hungary, he is also a friend of our site, who gave his first exclusive interview to Hungarian Conservative ahead of the 2024 Super Bowl. So, just like the Kansas City Chiefs, he is back where he was this time last year, for another insightful discussion.
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The stakes are high now. On our record, you have correctly predicted the winner of the 2024 Super Bowl and the victory of President Trump in the 2024 US presidential election. You have a perfect record to protect. So, the big question is: who will win in this year’s Super Bowl: your team, the Philadelphia Eagles or the defending champs Kansas City Chiefs?
As a proud Philly native and a die-hard Eagles fan, I can confidently—and totally without bias—predict that the Philadelphia Eagles will win this year’s Super Bowl. Sure, the Kansas City Chiefs are the defending champs, but the Eagles have the talent, determination, and that signature Philly grit to take it all the way. Fly, Eagles, Fly!
What do you make of Democrat Senator John Fetterman of Pennsylvania’s insightful statement on the matter that—I quote verbatim here—’the Eagles are so much better than the Eagles’?
It would appear that Senator Fetterman is becoming much more of a friend to Republicans and Eagles fans than anyone would have ever thought possible.
And now on to more serious matters. You have stated multiple times that President Trump’s victory would bring a new ‘golden age of US–Hungary relations’. Have you seen that manifested already in some ways?
Absolutely, we’ve already seen a noticeable shift in tone that reflects the strong potential for a new golden age in US–Hungary relations under President Trump’s leadership. The renewed emphasis on mutual respect, shared strategic interests, and a commitment to sovereignty has been evident in early diplomatic engagements. However, this is just the beginning. There’s significant work ahead to translate this positive momentum into concrete outcomes.
Key priorities include revising the double taxation agreement to foster greater economic cooperation, addressing visa-related issues to strengthen people-to-people ties, and boosting trade and tourism between our countries. These are tangible areas where we expect real progress, and with the current alignment of values and priorities, we’re highly optimistic that US–Hungary relations will reach unprecedented heights in the coming years.
This is something I also asked from American Conservative Union Chairman Matt Schlapp. Do you think that Donald Trump’s second term will bring more than just a political, but a cultural change too? The views he held that the mainstream media tried to paint as fringe now have to be accepted as pretty centrist views, for example, on immigration and transgenderism. Do you think that is the case?
President Trump’s second term is poised to usher in not just a political shift, but a profound cultural realignment rooted in common sense, traditional values, and national sovereignty. The views that the mainstream media once hastily dismissed as ‘fringe’—on issues like secure borders, the importance of biological reality, and the defence of Western civilization—are now being recognized by millions as grounded, rational, and, indeed, centrist. These are values that PM Orbán has also championed.
‘President Trump and Prime Minister Orbán are at the forefront of this movement, championing policies that prioritize faith, family, and freedom’
What we’re witnessing is a broader awakening, a rejection of the radical ideologies that have dominated cultural narratives for too long. Leaders like President Trump and Prime Minister Orbán are at the forefront of this movement, championing policies that prioritize faith, family, and freedom. They stand as pillars of a new conservative renaissance that resonates not just in America and Hungary, but across the Western world. This isn’t just a political moment; it’s a cultural course correction driven by leaders unafraid to speak the truth and defend the values that built strong, prosperous nations.
What is your opinion on President Trump raising tariffs on goods coming in from Canada and Mexico to 25 per cent [which have been paused since this interview took place]?
I fully support President Trump’s tariff policies and I believe they will lead to increased revenues in the federal budget that will allow the President to reduce taxes on Americans and American businesses.
You have recently sent an open letter to the CEOs of major American airlines, calling on them to start direct flights to Budapest, Hungary. Can you elaborate on why you think it is imperative for them to do so?
Direct flights between the United States and Budapest are not just a matter of convenience—they are a strategic imperative for strengthening economic, cultural, and diplomatic ties. Hungary is a growing hub in Central Europe, with Budapest serving as a gateway to the region’s dynamic markets, vibrant tourism sector, and thriving business environment. Establishing direct routes would significantly boost trade, investment, and tourism, benefiting both the American and Hungarian economies. This is a no-brainer.
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