Early Loyalty: In an undated photo, the young Gorka wears a Vitézi Rend medal pinned to the traditional-style formal coat favored by Hungary’s right-wing nationalists, as he did during Trump’s inauguration years later. Image by Facebook

By Dave Goldiner April 9, 2017

Leaders of a Hungarian far-right wing group that colloborated with the Nazis said they were “proud” to see controversial White House aide Sebastian Gorka wearing the group’s medal — and political allies and rivals alike said they believe he is a member of the group.

“When he appeared on U.S. television … with the medal … it made me really proud,” Vitezi Rend spokesman Andras Horvath told NBC News in the Hungarian capital of Budapest.

Three people, including onetime political allies and rivals alike, told the network that the anti-terrorism aide was a well known member of the group during his time in far right-wing politics in the central European nation.

Forwarding the News

Thoughtful, balanced reporting from the Forward and around the web, bringing you updated news and analysis each day.

Terms(Required)

I agree to the Forward's Terms of Service and Privacy Policy

Email(Required)

“I knew that Sebastian Gorka was a member of Vitezi Rend, even then,” Gabor Solti, a Hungarian geologist who ran on Gorka’s mayoral ticket in the small town of Piliscsaba in 2006. Solti conceded he had no concrete evidence of Gorka’s membership.

The Forward exclusively reported that Gorka was a sworn member of the group, quoting three local officials. That could call into question his American citizenship since the group is considered a wartime ally of the Nazis.

Gorka vehemently denies all the charges, but has refused to denounce the Vitezi Rand.

It’s long overdue for @SebGorka to clarify ties to #ViteziRend & disavow their #antisemitism & pro-Nazi stance https://t.co/94Wg5Wj46B https://t.co/vi0Eq3tJAt

— Jonathan Greenblatt (@JGreenblattADL) April 9, 2017

A message from our Publisher & CEO Rachel Fishman Feddersen

I hope you appreciated this article. Before you go, I’d like to ask you to please support the Forward’s award-winning, nonprofit journalism during this critical time.

The coming year promises to be filled with more complex and historic developments. We are entering an era where independent, fact-based Jewish journalism will be more important than ever. We need to be ready for whatever 2025 will bring, and with your help, we can be.

We’ve set a goal to raise $260,000 by December 31. That’s an ambitious goal, but one that will give us the resources we need to invest in the high quality news, opinion, analysis and cultural coverage that isn’t available anywhere else.

If you feel inspired to make an impact, now is the time to give something back. Join us as a member at your most generous level.

—  Rachel Fishman Feddersen, Publisher and CEO

With your support, we’ll be ready for whatever 2025 brings.

$36 $500

$120 $180 Other amount