Trump Ally Laura Loomer Ignites MAGA Civil War with Explosive Claims Tucker Carlson is "Controlled by Muslims"
Far-right activist escalates internal Republican conflict over Iran policy, accusing former Fox News host of being influenced by Qatari money amid Trump's Middle East ceasefire negotiations
Laura Loomer, a prominent ally of President Donald Trump, has ignited a fierce internal battle within conservative media circles by publicly accusing Tucker Carlson of being "controlled by Muslims" and influenced by Qatari government funding. The explosive allegations, made this week amid an ongoing debate over America's role in the Israel-Iran conflict, have prompted vigorous denials from Carlson's team and exposed deep fractures within the MAGA movement over foreign policy priorities. The controversy centers on claims that Qatar paid substantial sums to facilitate Carlson's March interview with Qatari Prime Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, allegations that both Carlson and his media company have categorically denied.
MAGA Movement Fractures Over Iran Military Intervention
The inflammatory exchange between Loomer and Carlson represents a broader schism within Trump's political coalition over whether the United States should support Israel's military operations against Iran. This internal conflict has intensified as Trump recently brokered a fragile ceasefire between Israel and Iran, ending what he dubbed "THE 12 DAY WAR".
Loomer, who describes herself as a "proud Islamophobe," has positioned herself as the "loyalty enforcer" of MAGA, threatening to compile screenshots of critical comments about Trump's Iran policy to deliver directly to the president. "I am screenshotting everyone's posts and I'm going to deliver them in a package to President Trump so he sees who is truly with him and who isn't," Loomer declared on social media this week.
The far-right activist has found herself aligned with hawkish Republicans and right-wing commentators who support military action against Tehran, breaking from the traditionally isolationist "America First" wing of Trump's coalition. This division has created unusual political alliances, with Loomer siding with establishment figures, such as Fox News host Mark Levin, against longtime Trump allies like Carlson.
Explosive Allegations Target Carlson's Qatar Interview
The current controversy erupted when Loomer cited Foreign Agent Registration Act (FARA) documents suggesting that Qatar paid substantial sums to facilitate Carlson's interview with the Qatari Prime Minister. According to The Independent, Loomer posted a screenshot claiming to show "Qatar paid hundreds of thousands of dollars for an interview between Tucker Carlson and the Prime Minister of Qatar".
"Tucker Carlson wants you to think his thoughts on Iran are based and original, but he's literally participating in paid-for interviews by the Qataris, who are funding and providing penthouses and luxury lifestyles to the leaders of Hamas in Doha," Loomer declared.
The MAGA activist escalated her rhetoric further, stating: "Muslims control Tucker. People need to wake up and stop pretending like this is a conspiracy theory. Qatar and Iran are buying off conservative podcasters to push pro-Islamist, anti-American, and anti-Israel talking points to undermine President Trump”.
Loomer specifically alleged that "$200,000 was paid by the Embassy of the State of Qatar for Tucker to interview a Qatari official, all while knowing HAMAS is an Iranian proxy and funded by Qatar". She characterized the interview as a "paid propaganda piece" designed to influence American public opinion on Middle East policy.
Carlson's Team Issues Categorical Denials
Tucker Carlson and his business partner, Neil Patel, have issued strong denials of Loomer's allegations, with Patel posting a detailed rebuttal on social media. "Allegations that Tucker Carlson or Tucker Carlson Network took money from any foreign country for an interview or for any other reason are categorically and definitively false and defamatory," Patel stated.
The denial emphasized the company's independence: "Neither Tucker nor TCN has ever taken a penny from Qatar or any foreign country. To the contrary, TCN bought out all its investors last March to achieve total and absolute independence. Almost no other major media company can make that claim".
During a recent discussion with Steve Bannon, Carlson directly addressed the Qatar allegations, declaring: "They know I'm not working for Qatar. I've never taken a dime from any foreign country or anybody". Carlson attributed the accusations to projection, stating that his critics "have these weird, complex motives, and so they project onto everyone else the same".
According to Axios, Carlson and Patel recently completed a buyout of all investors in Tucker Carlson Network, giving them complete control of the company. "It's hard to claim you're independent when other people own your company, so we decided not to take investments or loans of any kind," Carlson told Axios.
Qatar's Documented Influence Operations Target Conservative Media
The allegations against Carlson occur within the broader context of documented Qatari influence operations targeting American conservative media. According to the Global Influence Operations Report, there has been a "dramatic rise in Qatari foreign influence operations targeting US rightwing media" following Trump's 2024 election victory.
The Washington Examiner reported that between January 1, 2024, and election day, just over 10% of communications sent by Qatari foreign agents to the media were directed to conservative outlets. However, since Republicans won control of the White House and Congress, "the proportion of messages sent by Qatari operatives to conservative outlets and commenters has surged to more than half of their total correspondence with the media".
Key findings from FARA documents reveal:
Qatar's Embassy pays consulting firm Lumen8 Advisors LLC $180,000 per month for "media and communication coaching and consulting services."
The firm helped facilitate Carlson's interview with the Qatari Prime Minister.
No direct payments to Carlson or his network have been documented in FARA filings.
Lumen8 Advisors issued a statement categorically denying that Carlson received compensation: "Tucker Carlson, TCN, and its affiliates have never received payment from Lumen8Advisors, entities affiliated with it, or its client".
Personal Attacks Escalate Media Feud
The dispute has devolved into personal attacks, with Carlson calling Loomer "the world's creepiest human" during a podcast appearance. "Laura Loomer, the world's creepiest human, I don't even know where she came from or who she is exactly, but she's running around saying, 'I'm Donald Trump's defender.' It's bizarre," Carlson stated.
Loomer responded by sharing what she claimed was a text message from Carlson thanking her for her support after his departure from Fox News. "His cell is in my phone," Loomer wrote on X, before mocking Carlson's previous claims about being "physically mauled" by a demon in his sleep.
The exchange highlights the increasingly personal nature of conservative media feuds, with both figures attempting to undermine each other's credibility within Trump's political orbit. Loomer has positioned herself as having direct access to Trump, while Carlson maintains significant influence through his independent media platform.
Historical Context of Qatar's US Influence Efforts
Qatar's influence operations in the United States have a documented history spanning multiple administrations. According to the Global Influence Operations Report, the Gulf state is "one of the most prolific influence actors in the world, with a specific focus on shaping public opinion in the United States".
Previous Qatari influence efforts have included:
Targeting a Republican congressman through an ex-CIA officer working for Qatar
High-level White House negotiations involving Qatar luxury jet discussions
The prosecution of a US senator charged with aiding Qatari government interests
The country has also employed broader lobbying strategies, including funding think tanks and universities, as well as leveraging media and digital platforms to influence public opinion during politically sensitive periods.
Trump Administration's Iran Policy Creates Conservative Divisions
The current feud occurs against the backdrop of Trump's recent military intervention in Iran and subsequent ceasefire negotiations. According to Context Corner, Trump announced strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities that "completely and totally obliterated" Iran's nuclear enrichment capabilities.
The military action has created a constitutional crisis, with lawmakers from both parties questioning Trump's authority to conduct strikes without congressional approval. Republican Representative Thomas Massie broke with his party to introduce a War Powers Resolution aimed at restricting Trump's military authority in the Middle East.
"This is not Constitutional," Massie declared following Trump's announcement of the strikes.
The division over Iran policy has split Trump's coalition between traditional isolationists who oppose foreign military interventions and hawks who support aggressive action against Iran's nuclear program.
Broader Implications for the Conservative Media Landscape
The Loomer-Carlson feud reflects broader tensions within conservative media over foreign influence, editorial independence, and loyalty to Trump's agenda. These conflicts have intensified as traditional media gatekeepers lose influence to independent content creators and podcast hosts.
The accusations against Carlson echo similar controversies that have affected other conservative media figures, raising questions about transparency in political commentary and the influence of foreign governments on American public discourse.
According to The Washington Examiner, Loomer has a "lengthy track record of making inflammatory comments," including calling the late Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee a "ghetto b***h" and promoting conspiracy theories about the 9/11 attacks. Her controversial history has led to criticism from other Trump allies, including Senator Lindsey Graham and Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene.
Qatar's Strategic Communications Investments
The controversy has highlighted Qatar's sophisticated approach to influencing American media discourse. The Global Influence Operations Report notes that Qatar's influence operations are "complemented by broader lobbying and soft power strategies, including funding think tanks and universities, as well as leveraging media and digital platforms to shape public opinion".
The Gulf state's media strategy appears to focus on building relationships with influential commentators and securing favorable coverage during critical policy debates. The March interview between Carlson and the Qatari Prime Minister garnered nearly six million views across social media platforms, demonstrating the potential reach of such engagements.
Critics argue that Qatar's influence efforts represent a threat to American democratic discourse, while defenders note that such lobbying activities are legal when properly disclosed through FARA registration requirements.
Political Ramifications for Trump's Coalition
The internal MAGA conflict over Iran policy and foreign influence allegations could have significant implications for Trump's political coalition. The dispute reveals fundamental tensions between different factions within the conservative movement over America's role in Middle East conflicts.
Loomer's self-appointed role as "loyalty enforcer" represents an attempt to police ideological orthodoxy within Trump's movement, potentially creating additional divisions among supporters. Her threats to compile opposition research on fellow conservatives for Trump's review suggest an increasingly militant approach to internal dissent.
The controversy also highlights the challenges faced by independent media figures who must balance editorial independence with the expectations of political loyalty from their audiences and political allies.
Unresolved Questions and Future Developments
As the controversy unfolds, several key questions remain unresolved. The effectiveness of Qatar's influence operations in shaping American conservative opinion on Middle East policy will likely face continued scrutiny from watchdog groups and congressional investigators.
The broader implications for the independence of conservative media and the role of foreign influence in American political discourse are likely to generate ongoing debate. The success or failure of Trump's Iran ceasefire agreement may also influence the development of this internal conservative conflict.
The personal nature of the attacks between Loomer and Carlson suggests that this feud may continue to escalate, potentially drawing in other conservative media figures and creating additional fractures within Trump's political coalition. The president's response to these internal divisions could prove decisive in determining which faction gains influence over future foreign policy discussions.
The controversy represents a critical test of conservative media's ability to maintain unity while addressing legitimate concerns about foreign influence and editorial independence. As Qatar and other nations continue to invest in American media outreach, these questions are likely to become increasingly important for the future of political discourse in the United States.