Kash Patel Sues The Atlantic Over Defamatory Coverage

FBI Director Kash Patel has taken legal action against The Atlantic, alleging that the publication’s portrayal of his time in office amounts to a “malicious and defamatory hit piece.” The lawsuit, filed on Monday, claims that the article in question, which discussed concerns over his drinking habits, was filled with “false and clearly fabricated allegations” intended to discredit him.

In a piece published last Friday, The Atlantic suggested that Patel’s drinking raised alarms among colleagues, hinting that he felt his position was at risk. In response to these claims, Patel is seeking $250 million in damages and has named both the publisher and reporter Sarah Fitzpatrick in the suit. He accuses them of relying on unnamed, biased sources that lacked credible insights.

“Fitzpatrick couldn’t find anyone to corroborate these outrageous claims and instead leaned entirely on sources she knew were highly partisan,” the lawsuit states. It was filed in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia.

The complaint argues that the defendants exhibited “genuine malice” by publishing the article despite being warned just hours before it went live that the main allegations were entirely unfounded, alongside a wealth of publicly accessible contradicting information.

Additionally, the article alleges that Patel’s drinking necessitated the rescheduling of FBI press conferences and meetings, and it described instances where security personnel struggled to reach him due to locked doors.

Prior to this publication, the FBI had warned The Atlantic that the allegations mirrored a previously discredited report on MSNBC’s “Morning Joe,” which had been retracted. Patel had previously sued MSNBC’s Frank Figliuzzi over similar mentions of his nightlife.

In response to the lawsuit, The Atlantic stood firm, declaring on social media that it would contest what it labeled a “baseless lawsuit.” Jeffrey Goldberg, the publication’s editor-in-chief, reiterated their support for the reporting on Patel.

The FBI declined to comment on the matter, and The Atlantic reiterated its previous statements when asked for further remarks.

In a separate note, Patel, known for his enthusiasm for hockey, faced criticism after celebrating with the U.S. men’s hockey team following their gold medal victory over Canada in February. He was photographed enjoying beer in the locker room while attending meetings with Italian law enforcement.