BONUS: Europe Fines Elon Musk Over U.S. Censorship, Tucker Carlson Buys Qatar Home Amid Islamist Controversy | Verdict with Ted Cruz

Dec 11, 2025

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The EU fined Elon Musk’s platform X (formerly Twitter) $140 million under the Digital Services Act (DSA) for failing to comply with transparency and moderation requirements.
Ben and the Senator argue this is an attack on free speech, claiming the EU wants to impose censorship globally, including on American platforms.
They highlight a letter from the EU in August 2024 urging Musk to censor content related to Donald Trump’s interview, framing it as an attempt to silence political discourse.
The discussion emphasizes the contrast between U.S. First Amendment protections and Europe’s regulatory approach, warning of potential ripple effects on American free speech.
There’s a call for the Trump administration to retaliate with sanctions against the EU, such as tariffs, to prevent foreign influence on U.S. speech norms.

2. Tucker Carlson’s Ties to Qatar

Tucker Carlson’s visit to Qatar, where he interviewed the Prime Minister during the Doha Forum.
Ben and Senator Cruz criticize Carlson for allegedly failing to ask tough questions about Qatar’s:
- Support for Hamas and the Muslim Brotherhood.
- Funding of anti-American and anti-Semitic propaganda, including protests on U.S. campuses.
- Lobbying efforts in Washington and influence campaigns targeting conservative figures.
- Restrictive policies on women’s rights.
They express concern over Carlson reportedly buying property in Qatar, framing it as aligning with a regime hostile to U.S. interests.
The commentary portrays Carlson as sympathetic to authoritarian leaders (similar to his interviews with Putin and Iran’s president), undermining American values and Trump’s foreign policy.

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