During the tenure of former President Trump, Newsmax, a conservative cable news network that enjoyed the endorsement of Trump and his allies, reportedly received substantial financial backing from a member of the Qatari royal family, according to a recent investigation by The Washington Post. The report suggests that approximately $50 million in investments from a Qatari royal were made into Newsmax during the years 2019 and 2020, a claim supported by documentation and representatives from both the media company and the royal family.
This financial arrangement occurred against the backdrop of a geopolitical situation where Qatar was facing a diplomatic and economic blockade initiated by a coalition led by Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. The blockade was premised on allegations of Qatar’s support for terrorist organizations. Following the Qatari investment, executives within Newsmax purportedly encouraged a shift towards more favorable coverage of Qatar, as outlined in The Washington Post’s report.
However, Newsmax has contested this characterization, stating in a response to The Hill that their 2019 minority investment came from a UK-based fund with a Qatari investor, who also had investments in a company associated with the current publisher of The Washington Post. Newsmax emphasized that its coverage of Qatar has consistently strived for balance, including critical reporting on the nation’s activities.
Newsmax experienced a surge in popularity among supporters of Trump around the time of the 2020 election. Nevertheless, the network has faced scrutiny and criticism in recent years, particularly concerning its coverage of topics such as vaccines and Trump’s unfounded claims of widespread voter fraud.
The controversies surrounding Newsmax escalated further after Dominion Voting Systems filed a defamation lawsuit against the network in the aftermath of the 2020 election. Dominion is seeking damages exceeding a billion dollars, and a trial for this case has been scheduled for September, according to reports.
