Tucker Carlson In Deep Trouble After Doha Summit 

Conservative commentator Tucker Carlson turned heads at the Doha Forum yesterday (Sunday), by revealing his intention to buy property in Qatar's capital, a decision he described as a personal choice driven by his fondness for the region and a search for "peace and quiet."

The statement, made during a live interview with Qatar's Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, has ignited debate and drawn pushback from some in conservative circles.

In the interview, Carlson positioned the purchase as an exercise of American freedom. "I'm a free American. I can live wherever I want," he stated, countering suggestions of Qatari influence by adding, "I've never taken anything from your country and don't plan to. I am, however, tomorrow, buying a place in Qatar."

The Prime Minister responded warmly, joking that he hoped it would be "a big one, not a cheap one."

The announcement follows scrutiny over Carlson's ties to Qatar, a nation often critiqued for its connections to Hamas and its media outlet Al Jazeera. Carlson has previously spoken positively about Qatar, calling it a "nice place" and highlighting its diplomatic role with the U.S.

However, this latest move has prompted accusations from critics, including Rep. Mike Waltz (R-FL), who suggest it may reflect deeper influences.

Journalist Yashar Ali captured Carlson's irritation in an X post on December 7, sharing a clip from Doha News where Carlson affirmed his right to "travel where he wants and associate with whom he wishes." He also alluded to an unspecified group attempting to impose "mental bondage" on the population, a comment that aligns with his history of discussing perceived elite controls.

Here's where it gets sticky:

Not everyone can buy property in Qatar.

In fact, non-Qataris (including expats and foreigners) can only own freehold property outright in about two dozen designated zones, such as The Pearl, Lusail City, West Bay Lagoon (Legtaifiya), and Al Khor.

It's not a fully open market like in Texas, and the ruling Al Thani family does influence broader real estate policy through government channels, but purchases in approved zones don't typically need special royal sign-off, it's more bureaucratic than "curated" for rewards. That said, high-profile deals could involve networking or incentives, and Qatar's system is opaque (no public records for verifying ownership details), which fuels speculation.

Also, this latest bombshell lands amid a torrent of criticism from Carlson's own conservative allies and pro-Israel heavyweights, who blast him for "normalizing" a regime entangled with Hamas and wielding influence via Al Jazeera. Indeed, Tucker's pro Qatar tilt gets stronger and stronger, with many calling him 'Qatarlson'.

Even though he denies it, his pro-Qatar reporting certainly gives his critics a leg to stand on.

Is this new Doha palace Carlson's genuine escape hatch or a slick PR masterstroke to soften Qatar's image?