Tucker Carlson has disclosed plans to acquire property in Qatar, while firmly denying any financial ties with the Gulf nation. In a conversation with Qatari Prime Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani at the Doha Forum on Sunday, the former Fox News anchor addressed the criticism he has faced. “People have accused me of being a pawn for Qatar, but I can assure you, as you already know, I have never received any compensation from your country, nor do I intend to,” Carlson stated during the interview.

Carlson further revealed, “I am, however, purchasing a property in Qatar tomorrow. I am fond of the city, find it stunning, and wish to make a statement that as an American and a free man, I can reside where I choose. While I have not taken any money from Qatar, I am now investing in it.” This decision has sparked backlash from some right-wing circles in the US, who have been scrutinizing Carlson’s increasing association with the Islamic nation. Laura Loomer, a fervent supporter of Israel and an ally of Donald Trump, criticized Carlson’s decision, suggesting that Qatar is seeking to wield influence over conservatives.

Loomer took to X to express her concerns, stating, “Qatar funds the Muslim Brotherhood and continues to host HAMAS officials in Doha, the very place where Tucker now wishes to reside.” She also mentioned that the Prime Minister acknowledged Qatar’s significant spending on lobbying efforts, aiming to safeguard the US-Qatari relationship. Loomer accused Carlson of attempting to jeopardize Republican success in the midterms and being indifferent to the possibility of America becoming influenced by Islamic practices.

‘Qatar is a state sponsor of terrorism and they always have been,’ she concluded. ‘To deny this is un-American. ‘Qatar is buying off the right in front of your eyes. Pay attention.’ Meanwhile, Senator Ted Cruz also accused Carlson of bowing to Qatari interests in his own post. But in an interview with Doha News, Carlson defended his trip to the country. ‘I like it here [Qatar] a lot,’ he said. ‘By the way, I’m an American, I can go wherever I want and speak to anyone I want to because I’m a free man. That’s the promise of my country.

‘And some are seeking to change that and to put our population into mental bondage,’ Carlson argued, without specifying who he was talking about. ‘And I’m not participating in that.’ This is not the first time Carlson has been accused of pandering to the Gulf country, however, as he elevated his criticism of Israel. The former Fox News had previously conducted a friendly interview with Al Thani in March.

Then, when Carlson erroneously claimed in September that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was telling Arab leaders in the Middle East that he had control of Trump, Netanyahu’s son Yari shared photos of Carlson meeting with Arab leaders. Yair even called Carlson ‘Qatar’s [expletive].’

He went on: ‘Tucker just say (sic) any [expletive] propaganda lie, without any source or proof, and expect everyone to believe him, despite him being obsessed about Israel , Jews and Netanyahu for two years and being super bias. ‘My dad isn’t “running around the Middle East” saying that [expletive]. He can’t go anywhere in the Middle East these days, and the Middle East Muslim Arab leaders are his biggest enemies.’