This is where we are going. A thread.
The anatomy of Qatari foreign influence (per Alan Bender & Imam Tawhidi, 2019) operates in a 6-part cycle:
1️⃣ Capital injection
2️⃣ Proxy placement
3️⃣ Intelligence extraction
4️⃣ Legislative influence
5️⃣ Media cover
6️⃣ Whistleblower targeting
Protecting the "capital loop."
In a November 27, 2019, livestream broadcast from Budapest, Hungary, Imam Mohammed Tawhidi—widely known as the “Imam of Peace”—made explosive allegations about foreign interference in American institutions.
Tawhidi centered his remarks on a federal lawsuit deposition given by Canadian businessman Alan Bender.
Bender and Tawhidi both claimed that U.S. Representative Ilhan Omar (D-MN) functions as a paid asset of the Qatari government.
Tawhidi further alleged that Qatar maintains a network of influence within Congress and U.S. media, and that he himself has been targeted for character assassination at Omar’s request.
Tawhidi & Bender claims re @Ilhan :
• Qatari Asset: Alleged "Trojan horse" $ via cash/PayPal
• Espionage: Accused of passing committee info 2 Qatar, Iran & Hezbollah
• Influence: Pushing Qatari/Brotherhood agendas-Congress
• Compromise: Alleged blackmail/foreign allegiances
Tawhidi alleges a broader Qatari op:
• DC Network: Omar, Sarsour, & Tlaib.
• Recruitment & Discord: Targeting Bender; splitting Trump Jr. & Kushner.
• Extremism & Cyber Attacks
• Bipartisan Reach: Dems & GOP on payroll.
Allegations involving U.S. media & Qatar:
• CNN: Vicky Ward allegedly paid $500k in Manhattan to stay silent.
• Conservative Media: GOP editors trading evidence for embassy deals.
• Mainstream Silence: NYT & WaPo ignored the Bender deposition.
Corroborating witnesses on Qatari influence:
• Alan Bender: Canadian businessman's Oct 2019 deposition (Pittard v. Al Thani) citing direct talks with Qatari officials.
• UK Doctor: Unnamed witness prepared to testify that Omar works for Qatar and funnels info to Iran.
The livestream occurred while Tawhidi was in Budapest at the invitation of the Hungarian Prime Minister’s Office. Tawhidi positioned himself as both a participant in the federal lawsuit and a victim of Qatari retaliation.
Key sources:
Tawhidi Livestream: “Imam of Peace says Ihlan Omar (sic) is Asset of Qatar,” November 27, 2019. Available on YouTube: youtube.com/watch?v=ur_8dW…. Transcript here: dannielleblumenthal.com/2026/07/22/ima…
Bender Deposition: Videotaped Deposition of Alan Bender, October 23, 2019, in Pittard et al. v. Al Thani et al., Case No. 8:19-cv-1784 (M.D. Fla.), reported by Karin A. Jenkner, Toronto Court Reporters. Transcript: dannielleblumenthal.com/2026/07/22/vid…
Allegations remain unverified (stemming from a civil deposition without formal charges). However, sharing info on public figures serves the public interest by promoting government accountability, democratic oversight, and national security debate.
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