The Dynasty: Direkt36’s exposé of Orbán’s economic empire garners millions of views

In February 2025, SRT grantee partner Direkt36, a Hungarian investigative journalism organisation, released “The Dynasty” (“A dinasztia”), a documentary scrutinising the business dealings of Prime Minister Viktor Orbán’s family, particularly focusing on his son-in-law, István Tiborcz. The documentary, partly building on previous work by journalists from Direkt36, Válasz Online, Telex, and Forbes, delves into the family’s accumulation of wealth over several decades. It highlights Tiborcz’s ventures and the enrichment of Viktor Orbán’s wider family and friends since the 1990s, through public procurement contracts, generous loans by government-adjacent banks, and other means tied to Orbán being in power.​

One segment features Hungarian-American journalist Bence X. Széchenyi’s undercover attempt to join Tiborcz’s exclusive BOTANIQ Budai Klub, established in 2023. Using hidden cameras, Széchenyi records a staff member revealing that the club hosts approximately 170 members and offers “illegal gambling activities”, with a membership fee structure of €4,000 for entry and an annual fee of €8,000. When questioned, the club’s management said that members only play casino games with “toy chips for recreational purposes”.​

The documentary has so far achieved notable viewership, garnering over 1 million views within its first 24 hours and surpassing 2.7 million views within a week. By early April, the documentary amassed 3.6 million views on YouTube, a record for any form of journalistic work in the country. By contrast, the population of Hungary is roughly around 9.5 million. This widespread attention underscores the public’s interest in the financial affairs of Hungary’s political elite, particularly given the most recent Corruption Perception Index, produced by SRT grantee partner Transparency International, puts Hungary at the bottom of all EU countries.​

Andras Pethő, director of Direkt36 and producer of the film confirmed: “We knew there would be some interest in the subject, but we certainly didn’t expect millions of views”. The investigative outlet has also seen a surge in the  public’s support: the number of Hungarians directly contributing to Direkt36’s efforts through its membership programme has grown by roughly 40% since the premiere of the documentary.​

However, the film also attracted significant political attacks. Even before its premiere, Hungarian newspaper Magyar Nemzet, considered under the control of Orbán’s government, suggested that “The Dynasty” was part of a “Ukrainian secret service operation” aimed at discrediting the Prime Minister. Direkt36 has firmly denied these accusations. Thanks to the rigorous work of the journalists, the facts and statements presented in the film could not be challenged.​

In response to the documentary, Tiborcz dismissed it as a politically motivated smear campaign and stated he had not watched it. He attributed his business success to effective teamwork and sound business decisions. Prime Minister Orbán also downplayed the film’s significance, remarking that he does not engage with such content and refrains from discussing business matters publicly.​ However, in a seemingly unrelated interview with state media in February, Orbán announced that sanctions must be imposed against civil organisations and NGOs which accept foreign funds with the aim of influencing Hungarian politics.

“The Dynasty” stands as a testament to Direkt36’s commitment to investigative journalism, shedding light on the intricate connections between politics and business in Hungary. Its release has sparked widespread discussion and controversy, highlighting the challenges faced by journalists in holding powerful figures accountable.