Tucker Carlson is a prominent American conservative political commentator, media figure, and host

By Sadiq Abdulfatah

Tucker Carlson, a US commentator, has sparked a debate in one of the episodes of The Tucker Carlson Show, which contained him suggesting that societies governed by Sharia law are “more advanced” than those in the West. In the segment, Carlson says: “There’s not a single Western city that’s thriving… They’re all in moral and physical decay because of self-hatred and a lost will to live.”

He further stated that “Sharia Law has made Islamic societies more advanced than the West.” He then contrasts this with his own experiences in the Middle East. “I travel a lot in the Middle East. It’s amazing. They’re Muslims. Countries governed by Sharia law, when you go there, it’s incredible to be in a place that has pride in itself, that believes in its religion and culture, that thinks ‘we’re on to something.’ That kind of self-confidence is what creates stability… and hospitality.”

The comments triggered backlash, particularly from right-wing and MAGA voices. Laura Loomer accused Carlson of “romanticizing” jihadist societies and claimed his remarks supported her long-standing allegation that he had effectively “converted to Islam” or become a foreign-influenced “Qatarlson” figure.

Social media users also said that Carlson’s comments meant praising systems that suppress Christians and Jews while attacking Western values. However, Carlson’s supporters and team rejected those claims and pointed to the full transcript of the episode, stating that no quotes were fabricated and Carlson did not call for the US to adopt Sharia law. Instead, they described his remarks as an observation about why certain Gulf states, such as Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the UAE, appear stable and self-assured compared to Western capitals.

They stressed that Carlson has repeatedly described himself as a “fervent Christian” with no intention of converting. The controversy comes amid an ongoing rift within conservative circles over foreign policy, particularly US involvement in the Middle East, support for Israel, and the war on Iran. Carlson even visited Qatar for the Doha Forum a few months ago, where he interviewed the country’s prime minister. During the event, he announced plans to buy a home in Doha, saying he liked the city and was acting as a “free man” choosing where to live.

Source: The Times of India