Meta-backed research finds exposure to ‘untrustworthy’ social media is rare. The fine print is less reassuring 
World game at war: why some European nations have threatened a World Cup boycott 
Taiwan President Lai Oversees Coastal Strike Drills in Han Kuang War Games 
North Korea May Deploy 120 Missiles to Russia 
Trump Unveils $3 Billion U.S. Critical Minerals Push 
3 clinical-grade skincare creams you really shouldn’t buy online 
Mark Carney Jokes About Teleprompter, Takes Swipe at Trump 
Zelensky Urges Faster NATO Action on Air Defense Missiles 
Iran-Oman Near Strait of Hormuz Deal as Shipping Tensions Persist 
US-Backed Venezuela Government, Opposition Talks Begin 
Far-right activist Laura Loomer criticized the Trump administration on Friday over its growing defense partnership with Qatar, falsely alleging that the U.S. was giving Qatar a military base on American soil. Her claims circulated widely on social media following the official announcement from the Pentagon.
Earlier that day, U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth met with Qatar’s Deputy Prime Minister Sheikh Saoud bin Abdulrahman al-Thani to confirm Qatar’s plan to fund a new facility at Mountain Home Air Base in Idaho. The facility, long under discussion, will support training for Qatari pilots flying 12 F-15 fighter jets purchased from the U.S. A U.S. official clarified that the project would include hangars and operations buildings, all constructed by American contractors under U.S. military supervision.
Hegseth emphasized that Qatar would not own the base, noting, “We control the existing base, like we do with all partners.” The facility mirrors similar agreements with allies such as Singapore, whose pilots already train at the same base. Qatar’s embassy confirmed this, stating the project reflects a 10-year commitment to enhance defense cooperation and interoperability with the U.S.
Despite the clarification, Loomer—known for spreading conspiracy theories and anti-Muslim rhetoric—accused the administration of “giving terror-financing Muslims from Qatar a MILITARY BASE on U.S. soil.” She shared an old video of Trump accusing Qatar of supporting terrorism, further fueling outrage among her followers.
Loomer, a self-proclaimed “Islamophobe” with 1.8 million followers on X, has a long history of inflammatory stunts, including handcuffing herself to Twitter’s headquarters after being banned for hate speech. Her remarks highlight the growing tension between far-right influencers and the Trump administration’s evolving foreign policy, particularly as Qatar remains a key U.S. ally hosting the al-Udeid Air Base, the largest U.S. military installation in the Middle East.
