Journalist Michael Weiss Alleges "Stunning Corruption" Involving U.S. Envoy Witkoff, Ortagus, and Qatari Interests

Journalist Michael Weiss recently ignited a social media discussion by alleging "stunning levels of corruption" and calling for an inquiry into purported "Witkoff/Qatari side action" involving former State Department spokesperson Morgan Ortagus and U.S. Special Envoy Steve Witkoff. The tweet directly questioned the nature of these alleged dealings, suggesting undisclosed or illicit financial arrangements. Weiss's post, which included links, highlighted a perceived lack of transparency in the connections between these figures and Qatari interests.

"Just stunning levels of corruption, all in plain sight. Someone ask Morgan Ortagus about the Witkoff/Qatari side action," Michael Weiss stated in his tweet, urging public scrutiny.

Steve Witkoff, a prominent real estate developer, serves as the U.S. Special Envoy to the Middle East and Special Envoy for Peace Missions under the current administration. In this capacity, he played a key role in negotiating a ceasefire and hostage exchange between Israel and Hamas in January 2025, working alongside Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani. Witkoff has faced scrutiny regarding potential Qatari influence on his diplomatic efforts, with reports from JNS.org suggesting Qatar provided a $623 million bailout for one of his real estate deals, raising questions about his impartiality.

A New York Times exposé in September 2025 further detailed financial connections, reporting that a firm linked to an Emirati royal invested $2 billion in World Liberty Financial, a cryptocurrency company owned by the Trump and Witkoff families. The article noted that the Witkoffs' relationship with Qatar dates back to the first Trump administration, with Qatar reportedly using investments to curry favor with individuals close to then-President Trump, including Steve Witkoff. Alex Witkoff, Steve's son, had also pitched a real estate fund to the Qatar Investment Authority, which was later shelved.

Morgan Ortagus, who previously served as the State Department spokesperson, was appointed Deputy Special Envoy to the Middle East under Witkoff in January 2025. Her role included overseeing Lebanon policy, though reports indicate she is departing her position. While Weiss's tweet implicated Ortagus in the alleged "side action," comprehensive public searches have not revealed specific, widely reported corruption allegations directly linking her to illicit financial dealings with Witkoff or Qatari entities.

The Witkoff Group, a New York-based real estate firm, is known for its high-profile projects and international ventures. Qatar, a wealthy Gulf nation, is a significant global investor, with its sovereign wealth fund holding substantial assets worldwide. Despite the strong allegations made by journalist Michael Weiss, official investigations or widespread corroboration of specific illicit "corruption" in a legal sense have not been broadly reported by reputable news outlets. The tweet, however, underscores ongoing concerns about potential conflicts of interest and the influence of foreign financial ties on U.S. diplomatic officials.