Is Tucker Carlson leaving US for Qatar? Inside the row over his drift away from MAGA

Right-wing commentator Tucker Carlson, who has been distancing himself from core MAGA values recently, has announced he will purchase property in Qatar, This move was not very appreciated among his conservative supporters. Speaking on stage at the annual Doha Forum, Carlson shut down accusations that he is “a tool of Qatar”. He said, “I have been criticised as being a tool of Qatar... I have never taken anything from your country and do not plan to. I am, however, tomorrow buying a place in Qatar.”He said he likes the place because of its beauty and not because he runs some propaganda: “I like the city, I think it is beautiful, but also to make the statement that I am an American and a free man and I’ll be wherever I want to be.” The announcement came during an interview with Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, where much of the discussion centred around Israel, Qatar’s regional diplomacy and ongoing Middle East tensions involving Gaza as well.The news has split parts of the MAGA movement. Far-right and anti-Islam activist Laura Loomer has been one of the harshest critics of Carlson, accusing him of being “bought off by Muslims” and calling him “Tucker Qatarlson”. Loomer claimed that interviews Tucker holds with Qatar are “a paid propaganda piece," she said in October. She challenged Carlson to publicly release documents showing the purchase details.Qatar has spent years building influence in Washington through lobbying, investments and diplomatic partnerships. The Gulf state has become adept at cultivating high-profile Western voices to advance its interests. Some foreign-policy analysts say Carlson’s property purchase will further fuel questions about the reach of foreign governments inside American political discourse.Carlson and his team insist there is nothing improper about the trip or the interview, and that he has not received any compensation from Qatar. The row sheds light on an increasingly visible rift within right-wing politics. Carlson remains influential, but his recent positions — including interviewing Nick Fuentes and criticising Israel — have unsettled some in the MAGA base. The Qatar announcement has deepened those tensions.Recently, in a conversation with British media personality Piers Morgan, Tucker talked about how he relates more to a Pakistani cab driver than to some privileged white liberals. He and Morgan agreed that Muslim hate and Islamophobia are forced into the system. This was a very big U-turn for someone who used to follow every single principle of the GOP government.