Kash Patel’s ’embarrassing’ Donald Trump boast on Fox News leaves viewers furious

Kash Patel congratulated NHL legend Brent Burns as he made his 1,000th consecutive appearance.© 2026 CQ-Roll Call, Inc.

FBI Director Kash Patel commended President Donald Trump during a Fox News segment, prompting backlash from conservative audiences.

On Fox News’ Sunday Morning Futures, 46-year-old Patel, who is embroiled in a scandal with his much younger girlfriend, spoke with host Maria Bartiromo about a recent article from The Atlantic. The story implied Patel might be risking his role as FBI director due to “erratic behavior,” allegedly connected to heavy drinking. The FBI chief disclosed he’s filing a $250 million defamation lawsuit against the publication.

Patel subsequently shifted to heaping praise on President Trump. He stated, “You want to attack my character? Come at me, bring it on. I’ll see you in court.” Bartiromo verified, “Tomorrow, you are dropping a lawsuit against The Atlantic magazine.” It comes after a bizarre bulge was spotted under Trump’s suit during his 60 Minutes interview – leading to an alarming accusation.

Patel confirmed, adding, “And because, you know what, Maria, we have to fight back against the fake news. It’s the one thing, one of the many things, President Trump is so successful at and leading out on. Because no one is attacked as baselessly as he is, and as much as he is. And our leaders that get attacked for his brilliant leadership, must do the same.”

US Federal Bureau of Investigation Director Kash Patel looks on prior to the Men’s Gold Medal match between Canada and the United States on day 16 of the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic games at Milano Santagiulia Ice Hockey Arena on February 22, 2026 in Milan, Italy© Photo by Elsa/Getty Images

Viewers swiftly criticized Patel’s comments, with many questioning whether Trump had erred in appointing him to head the FBI. One critic observed, “You’re useless, Kash! Blowing Trump up to get your job does not qualify you for it.” Another added, “The world is laughing at Trump because of this incompetent FBI fool.”

A third individual stated, “Embarrassing! This fool leads our foremost law enforcement agency. No law enforcement experience and it shows. What did Trump ever see in you?”, reports the Mirror US.

Yet not everyone took issue with Patel. One supporter noted, “Good for Kash – calling out the hit piece and actually following through with a lawsuit. About time someone in D.C. pushes back on these smears instead of just letting them slide. Let the discovery do the talking.”

Donald Trump© AFP via Getty Images

The Atlantic released a report on April 17 claiming Patel had attendance issues and was “known to drink to the point of obvious intoxication,” according to sources including White House staff, Congressional members and FBI personnel.

The report indicated Patel temporarily lost access to the FBI’s internal computer system due to a technical malfunction. He reportedly panicked, assuming he’d been fired, and reached out to his team to notify them of his supposed dismissal.

Two aides described his response as a “freak-out.” Via the FBI, Patel issued a statement declaring, “Print it, all false, I’ll see you in court – bring your checkbook.”