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FBI Director Kash Patel Sued $250 M Over Drinking Claims

4/24/2026

Summary

Story summary

Reporter Sarah Fitzpatrick said dozens of sources corroborated her claim that FBI Director Kash Patel’s alleged drinking endangers national security.
She said more than two dozen officials called Patel’s behavior embarrassing and a security vulnerability.
Patel denied the allegations and filed a $250 million defamation lawsuit against The Atlantic.
At a Department of Justice press conference, Patel called the reporting a “hit piece” and dismissed the media as “fake news mafia.”

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Story summary

Reporter Sarah Fitzpatrick said dozens of sources corroborated her claim that FBI Director Kash Patel’s alleged drinking endangers national security.
She said more than two dozen officials called Patel’s behavior embarrassing and a security vulnerability.
Patel denied the allegations and filed a $250 million defamation lawsuit against The Atlantic.
At a Department of Justice press conference, Patel called the reporting a “hit piece” and dismissed the media as “fake news mafia.”