Kash Patel Calls Out Journalist For ‘Lying’ About His Trip To Italy For The Winter Olympics

Kash Patel is not going down without a fight.

FBI Director Kash Patel is now fighting back against social media users who called him out.

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Patel joined the American men’s hockey players in the locker room Sunday for a rowdy celebration of winning the gold medal in the Winter Olympics. While he was in Milan celebrating, the U.S. Secret Service shot and killed an armed man. He had driven into Mar-a-Lago, President Donald Trump’s resort in Florida.

Around the time the game against Canada was headed into overtime, Patel posted on X that the FBI was “dedicating all necessary resources in the investigation.” Videos shared on social media showed him drinking beer from a bottle and spraying the rest around the locker room.

The FBI on Thursday denied that the director used an agency plane for personal use in visiting the Olympics in Milan. Patel departed the U.S. aboard a Justice Department plane on Thursday morning, according to CBS News.

FBI Director Kash Patel Singles Out One Journalist

Sep 17, 2025; Washington, DC, USA; FBI Director Kash Patel testifies in front of the House Judiciary Committee in Washington, D.C., on Sept.17, 2025. Mandatory Credit: Jack Gruber-USA TODAY via Imagn Images
Kash Patel was in a fighting mood on Monday. He finally got a chance to see what was said about him on social media following his locker room celebration.

Patel broke his silence when he accused journalist Carol Leonnig of lying. She previously posted an article claiming the FBI told her that he “was only going to the Olympics for meetings – not for hockey games.” She also wrote that “he attended the games and ended up chugging beer with players,” adding that “taxpayers paid a lot for this fan boy’s dream.”

Patel saw it and fired back with receipts. He posted a message sent to Leonnig on February 19th that explained his reasons for being in Italy. Three days later, Carol posted her article. Patel pointed out the date while adding a lying emoji to his post.

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It’s an awkward look for the director, whose agency is already battling perceptions that he is unqualified for the job. By law, Patel is required to reimburse the federal government for any use of a private jet or other resources used for his personal travel.