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FBI Director Patel Sues Atlantic for $250M over intoxication claims

4/24/2026

Summary

Story summary

FBI director Kash Patel sued The Atlantic for $250 million after the magazine reported, based on testimony from over two dozen FBI officials, that he was often visibly intoxicated and faced login problems.
Patel denied the accusations and labeled the report false.
Late-night hosts Seth Meyers and Jimmy Kimmel mocked the controversy, with Meyers joking Patel panicked over a computer glitch and Kimmel comparing his alleged blackout to the Trump-Epstein files.

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Story summary

FBI director Kash Patel sued The Atlantic for $250 million after the magazine reported, based on testimony from over two dozen FBI officials, that he was often visibly intoxicated and faced login problems.
Patel denied the accusations and labeled the report false.
Late-night hosts Seth Meyers and Jimmy Kimmel mocked the controversy, with Meyers joking Patel panicked over a computer glitch and Kimmel comparing his alleged blackout to the Trump-Epstein files.