Tucker Carlson Jordan Tour Sparks Conservative Backlash

Tucker Carlson, the former Fox News host and independent commentator, went on a Middle East tour, which included stops in Saudi Arabia, Jordan, and plans to attend the World Governments Summit in Dubai.

During his visit to Jordan yesterday, he toured historic sites such as Wadi Rum, Petra, the Jordan River baptism site (Al-Maghtas), and a Christian monastery, publicly expressing admiration for the Jordanian government's efforts in preserving these historical and religious locations.

In videos and posts shared on social media, Carlson highlighted his surprise at the sites' upkeep and described Jordan's natural beauty as "astonishing," positioning the trip as part of his on-the-ground reporting style to offer unfiltered perspectives.

Not everyone was impressed. This praise sparked significant backlash from conservative and pro-Israel figures in the U.S., who accused him of promoting Islamic regimes or undermining "America First" priorities by focusing on Middle Eastern countries amid ongoing regional tensions.

Prominent critic Laura Loomer labeled him "Tucker Qatarlson," implying undue influence from Qatar (though without evidence), and questioned his frequent Middle East travels, sarcastically noting, "So much for 'America First'!"

Others, including some X users, speculated whether his positive comments equated to support for groups like Hamas or amounted to a "paid commercial" for Islam. Jordanian Christian convert Dan Burmawy (as referenced in reports) challenged Carlson's claims of religious freedom in Jordan, pointing to incidents like the removal of a Jesus statue and restrictions on Christian worship.

Loomer also raised unverified concerns about potential Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA) violations tied to his travels.

Carlson's (few) defenders argue that his approach mirrors investigative journalism, emphasizing direct experiences over mainstream narratives, and compare it to U.S. politicians' frequent trips to Israel without similar scrutiny. They highlight his prior comfort as a Christian in Saudi Arabia (despite no public churches) as evidence of balanced reporting on the region's complexities.

This controversy builds on Carlson's history of drawing fire from pro-Israel conservatives for past comments on U.S. foreign aid, interviews with figures like a Palestinian pastor, and criticisms of "Christian Zionism," which some view as selective or biased.