The White House has firmly denied a report from MS NOW suggesting that President Donald Trump might consider replacing FBI Director Kash Patel. On Tuesday, MS NOW cited three unnamed sources claiming that Trump is “thinking of firing Kash Patel in the coming months” due to growing dissatisfaction with the negative press Patel has been receiving lately.
The report pointed out Patel’s management of the FBI’s resources, particularly concerning his girlfriend’s security detail and the utilization of government aircraft, alongside some conflicts with other Trump supporters. It was mentioned that Trump’s aides are contemplating naming Andrew Bailey, a senior FBI official, as Patel’s potential successor. Yet, there’s also a note that Trump could have a change of heart in the near future.
According to MS NOW, “Patel is reportedly on thin ice,” and Bailey is viewed as a reasonable replacement. But again, it seems sentiments around this could shift rapidly.
In response, White House press secretary Caroline Levitt stated that Patel is a “valued member” of the team, actively working to restore the FBI’s integrity. She took to social media to label the report as “fake news,” asserting, “This story is completely fabricated.” Levitt recalled an encounter with Trump, where, after reading the headline to him, he laughed and brushed it off as a complete lie.
“He’s doing a fantastic job! Let’s take a picture to prove it!” Levitt added, sharing a photo of Trump and Patel together.
MS NOW correspondent Ken Dilanian remarked that he wasn’t shocked by Levitt’s remarks, as they came shortly after the story’s release. He joked that reporting this might have inadvertently bolstered Patel’s job security. Following the article’s publication, Dilanian said he received a message from an FBI source affirming the report’s accuracy. He also mentioned that Bailey would need to meet the criteria under the Federal Vacancies Act before assuming Patel’s role.
Despite Levitt’s strong denials, Dilanian reinforced the notion of frustration felt in the White House over the negative press surrounding Patel.
Meanwhile, an MS NOW spokesperson confirmed the network stands by its reporting.
