FBI Director Patel sues big media company for defamation
FBI Director Kash Patel filed a whopping $250 million defamation lawsuit against The Atlantic, after writer and reporter Sarah Fitzpatrick published an article making a litany of allegations about the director’s workplace behavior
by Summer Lane | April 20, 2026
Last week, The Atlantic’s Sarah Fitzpatrick published a story about FBI Director Kash Patel, titled: “The FBI Director Is MIA.”
Among the many allegations within the article were claims that the director was acting erratically, that he was often unexplainably absent at the bureau, and that he was engaged in “episodes of excessive drinking.”
Now, Patel is suing the publication for a staggering $250 million, alleging defamation, despite Fitzpatrick’s commitment to running the piece.
“I spoke to 2 dozen people familiar with Patel’s conduct for this story, many of whom described it as a national security vulnerability,” Fitzpatrick wrote on X.
She continued, “In response to 19 detailed questions, Patel said: ‘Print it, all false. I’ll see you in court – bring your checkbook.’”
In response to The Atlantic‘s request for comment, Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche stated, “Patel has accomplished more in 14 months than the previous administration did in four years. Anonymously sourced hit pieces do not constitute journalism.”
Erica Knight, a spokesperson for Patel, hit back at the story on X, stating that since taking office, Patel has taken “a grand total of 17 days off – half as much time off as Comey and Wray – and he spends twice as much time in the office as either of them ever did.”
She stated, “The so-called ‘intoxication incidents’ The Atlantic breathlessly reports have happened exactly ZERO times.”
The allegations within Fitzpatrick’s piece are serious and potentially damaging, painting a shockingly brazen picture of an FBI director allegedly preoccupied with partying, drinking, and excesses – a picture that Patel says is “baseless.”
“If the Fake News Mafia isn’t hitting you personally, with baseless information, in Washington, D.C., then you’re not doing your job,” he told Fox News’ Maria Bartiromo on Sunday, addressing the article and previewing the lawsuit he went on to file Monday morning.
Patel touted the FBI’s many accomplishments under the leadership of President Donald Trump, from decreasing the flow of fentanyl to capturing eight of the top ten “most wanted” fugitives.
“If I’m not doing my job, if I’m not working, then how is it that the FBI delivered the safest American under President Trump’s leadership in the history of our country?” Patel added.
Patel’s legal fight against The Atlantic comes amid speculation that the FBI director could be the next senior cabinet member on the president’s short list for firing, following the recent departures of former DHS Secretary Kristi Noem and Attorney General Pam Bondi.
There is no evidence to suggest this is the case, but Polymarket betting odds project (68 percent) that Patel could be out out of job before June 30.
