{"id":2435146,"date":"2025-05-15T16:13:02","date_gmt":"2025-05-15T20:13:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/john-kennedy-compares-qatar-to-hannibal-lecter-as-trump-continues-middle-east-tour\/"},"modified":"2025-05-15T16:14:16","modified_gmt":"2025-05-15T20:14:16","slug":"john-kennedy-compares-qatar-to-hannibal-lecter-as-trump-continues-middle-east-tour","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/john-kennedy-compares-qatar-to-hannibal-lecter-as-trump-continues-middle-east-tour\/","title":{"rendered":"John Kennedy compares Qatar to Hannibal Lecter as Trump continues Middle East tour"},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"&quot;\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">26<\/div><span class=\"mashsb-sharetext\">SHARES<\/span><\/div><div class=\"mashsb-buttons\"><a class=\"mashicon-facebook mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservativenewsdaily.net%2Fbreaking-news%2Fjohn-kennedy-compares-qatar-to-hannibal-lecter-as-trump-continues-middle-east-tour%2F\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-twitter mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=&amp;url=https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=2435146&amp;via=ConservNewsDly\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-subscribe mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"#\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Subscribe<\/span><\/a><div class=\"onoffswitch2 mash-medium mashsb-noshadow\" style=\"display:none\"><\/div><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                <div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/aside>\n            <!-- Share buttons by mashshare.net - Version: 4.0.47--><p>Senator John Kennedy (R-LA) expressed skepticism about Qatar as an ally during President Donald Trump&#8217;s recent visit to the country. Kennedy highlighted ethical concerns after Trump accepted a $400 million jet gift from Qatar,suggesting it may complicate American foreign policy. Comparing Qatar&#8217;s values to those of Hannibal Lecter, he said he does not trust the nation, referencing the character&#8217;s infamous line about eating a human liver. While Trump praised the region&#8217;s transformation and indicated he prefers not to have permanent enemies, Kennedy acknowledged the necessity of maintaining friendships, even with less reliable allies like Qatar, <a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/3YuVZYV\" >amidst global tensions involving countries<\/a> that challenge U.S. values such as China, Russia, and Iran.  <\/p>\n<p class=\"readmore\">\n    <button onclick=\"showReadMore()\" id=\"readmorebtn\">Read more&#8230;<\/button>\n<\/p>\n<hr id=\"line\">\n<span id=\"more\"><\/p>\n<p><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><\/p>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-button\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-icon td-icon-mobile\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-header-search-button-mob dropdown-toggle\" data-toggle=\"dropdown\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-search-icon td-icon-search\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-button\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-icon td-icon-mobile\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<div class=\"tdb-drop-down-search\" aria-labelledby=\"td-header-search-button\">\n<div class=\"tdb-drop-down-search-inner\">\n<form method=\"get\" class=\"tdb-search-form\" action=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/\"><\/form>\n<div class=\"tdb-aj-search\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/#\" role=\"button\" aria-label=\"Search\" class=\"tdb-head-search-btn dropdown-toggle\" data-toggle=\"dropdown\"><i class=\"tdb-search-icon td-icon-search\"><\/i><\/a><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<h1 class=\"tdb-title-text\">John Kennedy compares Qatar to Hannibal Lecter as Trump continues Middle East tour<\/h1>\n<div><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-title-line\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<div id=\"Brid_2122630\" class=\"tpd-featured-video bridtv\"><\/div>\n<p>Sen. John Kennedy (R-LA) said he doesn&rsquo;t completely trust Qatar as an ally following President<a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/donald-trump\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\"> Donald Trump<\/a>&lsquo;s visit to the Middle Eastern country.<\/p>\n<p>Qatar gifted the United States a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/white-house\/3408203\/trump-plane-qatar-gift-air-force-one\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">$400 million jet<\/a> that Trump accepted, immediately raising&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/white-house\/3410519\/trump-boeing-qatar-deal-middle-east-controversy\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">ethical and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/justice-alito-moves-up-deadline-for-supreme-court-briefing-in-pennsylvania-lawsuit-to-flip-the-election\/\" title=\"Justice Alito Moves Up Deadline For Supreme Court Briefing in Pennsylvania Lawsuit to Flip the Election\">constitutional concerns<\/a><\/a>.<\/p>\n<div class=\"recommended-stories\">\n<h2>Recommended Stories<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/white-house\/3412188\/white-house-defends-trump-tariffs-walmart-price-hikes\/\">White House hits out at Walmart over tariff-related price hikes<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/state\/3412222\/iowa-legislature-21-hour-final-day-2025-session\/\">Iowa lawmakers wrap up <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/iowa-lawmakers-wrap-up-21-hour-final-day-of-2025-session-washington-examiner\/\" title=\"Iowa lawmakers wrap up 21-hour final day of 2025 session - Washington Examiner\">21-hour final day<\/a> of 2025 session<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/supreme-court\/3412361\/supreme-court-nationwide-injunction-solution-trump-birthright-citizenship-order\/\">Supreme Court uncertain about solution to nationwide injunction &#8216;epidemic&#8217;<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"article-paywall\">\n<p>&ldquo;American foreign policy is an enduring struggle between values and interests. We know American values, freedom, the rule of law, personal responsibility, merit, and equal opportunity, but not all countries, most countries, don&rsquo;t share those values. Take Qatar, for example, they don&rsquo;t share any of those values,&rdquo; Kennedy said Thursday on Fox Business&rsquo;s <em>Varney &amp; Co.<\/em> &ldquo;Do I trust Qatar? Of course not. They will eat your liver with some fava beans and a nice Chianti.&rdquo;&nbsp;<\/p>\n<div style=\"width: 100%; max-width: 640px; max-height: 360px; min-width: 320px; min-height: 180px; overflow: hidden;\">\n<div style=\"position: relative; width: 100%; padding-top: 56.25%;\"><iframe src=\"https:\/\/share.grabien.com\/share.php?id=2937886&amp;userid=11311&amp;loginid=10455&amp;playercolor=%23000000&amp;playersize=auto&amp;code=59a417994ac5cbd02e14afd482a703e1\" style=\"position: absolute; top: 0px; left: 0px; width: 100%; height: 100%; border: 0px;\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>Kennedy was referencing the movie<em> Silence of the Lambs<\/em>, in which the main character, Hannibal Lecter, describes eating a human liver with fava beans and a glass of Chianti.<\/p>\n<p>However, while in Saudi Arabia on Monday, Trump <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/policy\/defense\/3410272\/trump-offers-new-vision-of-u-s-middle-east-policy\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">lauded the Middle East<\/a> for its &ldquo;great transformation&rdquo; in recent years, saying, &ldquo;I don&rsquo;t like permanent enemies.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/policy\/foreign-policy\/3410607\/tom-cotton-qatar-trump-address-concerns\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\"><strong>TOM COTTON ADVISES TRUMP TO ADDRESS CONCERNS WITH LESS &lsquo;RELIABLE ALLY&rsquo; QATAR<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n<p>Kennedy echoed the sentiment.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;Does that mean I want to be enemies with Qatar? No. Why? Because you don&rsquo;t have to be MENSA material to see that the world is in the midst of this grand struggle between the United States and other countries that share our values in China, Russia, and Iran, and Xi is the mastermind,&rdquo; he said. &ldquo;&hellip; We need all the friends we can get in that fight.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p> <script data-cfasync=\"false\" src=\"http:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/cdn-cgi\/scripts\/5c5dd728\/cloudflare-static\/email-decode.min.js\"><\/script><script>!function(){var g=window;g.googletag=g.googletag||{},g.googletag.cmd=g.googletag.cmd||[],g.googletag.cmd.push(function(){g.googletag.pubads().setTargeting(\"has-featured-video\",\"true\")})}();<\/script><script>var _bp=_bp||[];_bp.push({\"div\":\"Brid_2122630\",\"obj\":{\"id\":\"27789\",\"width\":\"1280\",\"height\":\"720\",\"stickyDirection\":\"below\",\"video\":\"2122630\"}});<\/script><script defer src=\"https:\/\/services.brid.tv\/player\/build\/brid.min.js\"><\/script><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<p><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>John Kennedy likens Qatar to Hannibal Lecter amid Trump&#8217;s Middle East tour, expressing distrust after Trump accepted a $400 million jet from the country<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2631,"featured_media":2435147,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mo_disable_npp":"","fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/john-kennedy-cabinet-hearings.webp","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[],"tags":[55315,33599,7823],"class_list":["post-2435146","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","tag-hannibal-lecter","tag-john-kennedy","tag-qatar"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/john-kennedy-cabinet-hearings.webp","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2435146","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2631"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2435146"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2435146\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2435150,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2435146\/revisions\/2435150"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2435147"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2435146"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2435146"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2435146"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}