Democratic Massachusetts Representative and Senate candidate Seth Moulton pledged to reject donations from the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC), but he previously accepted a Qatar-funded trip, according to financial disclosures.
Moulton joined Democratic Reps. Eric Swalwell of California and Jim Himes of Connecticut on a 2020 congressional delegation to Qatar, where they toured the Qatar Foundation — a charity led by the royal family.
“The bilateral relationship between Qatar and the United States has great potential, and I expect the friendship between the two countries to grow in the future,” Moulton said, according to the Qatar Foundation. (RELATED: Far-Left ‘Squad’ Member Jasmine Crockett Thinks She Has Shot At Higher Office)
Moulton enjoyed the four-day trip with travel, lodging, and food paid for by Qatar, the Washington Free Beacon reported, citing financial disclosures.
The Qatar Foundation’s chairwoman, royal matriarch Moza bint Nasser, praised Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar following his death by Israeli forces in October 2024, according to her social media.
FAIRFAX, VIRGINIA – AUGUST 26: U.S. Rep. Seth Moulton (D-MA) speaks during a joint veterans town hall August 26, 2019 in Fairfax, Virginia. Rep. Moulton announced last week that he’s no longer seeking the Democratic presidential nomination. (Photo by Alex Wong/Getty Images)
During the trip, Moulton met with lobbyists from the firm Nelson Mullins Riley & Scarborough, according to the Washington Free Beacon. The firm has since contributed $11,500 to Moulton’s campaigns since 2014, according to data from the Federal Election Commission (FEC). Another $1,000 was donated in September 2020 by a lobbyist for the firm, Robert Crowe, the outlet reported, citing Department of Justice (DOJ) disclosures.
Moulton’s informal meetings with the firm were to discuss “Qatar’s domestic and foreign policy positions,” the Washington Free Beacon reported. Nelson Mullins represents Qatar, according to Politico.
His campaign received $32,850 from individuals affiliated with AIPAC and $10,000 from the group, according to Open Secrets data from 2023 to 2024. His campaign is returning $35,000 in AIPAC donations, a campaign official told The Hill.
“I am returning AIPAC donations and refusing to accept any donations or support from them,” Moulton said in a statement Thursday, adding that he was “cautiously optimistic” about President Donald Trump’s adopted peace plan between Hamas and Israel.
I am returning AIPAC donations and refusing to accept any donations or support from them.
The FEC filing I made yesterday reflects that we are returning donations. pic.twitter.com/shBgHmYB1s
— Seth Moulton (@sethmoulton) October 16, 2025
“I support Israel’s right to exist, but I’ve also never been afraid to disagree openly with AIPAC when I believe they’re wrong,” Moulton continued. “In recent years, AIPAC has aligned itself too closely with Prime Minister Netanyahu’s government.”
Moulton, who announced his campaign for Senate the day before distancing himself from AIPAC, has yet to make a similar statement regarding Qatari funds.
Neither Moulton’s office nor the law firm have not responded to the Daily Caller’s requests for comment.
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