Kash has adopted the same strategy his boss uses. One that's unbecoming of government officials.

[kyzr]

They’re not defending; they’re attacking.

As I understand it, they are defending their reputations from libelous attacks, until a judge tosses it...

Judge tosses Kash Patel's defamation suit against former MSNBC contributor Frank Figliuzzi

The judge said that Frank Figliuzzi's statement, "when taken in context, cannot have been perceived by a person of ordinary intelligence as stating actual facts about Patel."

www.nbcnews.com

"Yeah, well, reportedly, he’s been visible at nightclubs far more than he has been on the seventh floor of the Hoover building," Figliuzzi said on the show "Morning Joe" last year.
Figliuzzi's lawyers argued that "this comment was a sarcastic, hyperbolic remark that receives protection from defamation liability."

 

[Lesh]

As I understand it, they are defending their reputations from libelous attacks, until a judge tosses it...

Judge tosses Kash Patel's defamation suit against former MSNBC contributor Frank Figliuzzi

The judge said that Frank Figliuzzi's statement, "when taken in context, cannot have been perceived by a person of ordinary intelligence as stating actual facts about Patel."

www.nbcnews.com

"Yeah, well, reportedly, he’s been visible at nightclubs far more than he has been on the seventh floor of the Hoover building," Figliuzzi said on the show "Morning Joe" last year.
Figliuzzi's lawyers argued that "this comment was a sarcastic, hyperbolic remark that receives protection from defamation liability."

And?

 

[berg80]

As I understand it, they are defending their reputations from libelous attacks, until a judge tosses it...

Judge tosses Kash Patel's defamation suit against former MSNBC contributor Frank Figliuzzi

The judge said that Frank Figliuzzi's statement, "when taken in context, cannot have been perceived by a person of ordinary intelligence as stating actual facts about Patel."

www.nbcnews.com

"Yeah, well, reportedly, he’s been visible at nightclubs far more than he has been on the seventh floor of the Hoover building," Figliuzzi said on the show "Morning Joe" last year.
Figliuzzi's lawyers argued that "this comment was a sarcastic, hyperbolic remark that receives protection from defamation liability."

In all likelihood Patel's attorney, unless he is as stupid as Ka$h, told him the suit had little chance of succeeding. Winning the suit being less important than the message it sends to the media.

For that matter, many of the frivolous suits the Litigator-in-Chief pursued would have had the same fate if the accused had not caved in to trump in order to avoid the kinds of retribution sought against those Dotard considers to be his enemies. The theory being, better to appease the orange piece of shit than be the object of persecution by the government.

 

[konradv]

In all likelihood Patel's attorney, unless he is as stupid as Ka$h, told him the suit had little chance of succeeding. Winning the suit being less important than the message it sends to the media.

For that matter, many of the frivolous suits the Litigator-in-Chief pursued would have had the same fate if the accused had not caved in to trump in order to avoid the kinds of retribution sought against those Dotard considers to be his enemies. The theory being, better to appease the orange piece of shit than be the object of persecution by the government.

I think my response to a threatened lawsuit would be, “I look forward to deposing Mr. Patel”. I wonder how badly he’d be soiling his drawers.

 

[berg80]

FBI Investigated NYT Reporter Who Wrote About Kash Patel’s Girlfriend
In March, the FBI began investigating New York Times reporter Elizabeth Williamson after her February story on the use of bureau resources by Director Kash Patel’s girlfriend.

The unprecedented move to target a journalist for politically damaging reporting proceeded on the flimsy premise that her coverage of Alexis Wilkins, a country music singer, was potentially in violation of federal anti-stalking laws.

Among the affirmative steps that the FBI took against Williamson: It “combed through the bureau’s databases to determine whether the federal government had any information on Ms. Williamson to help make the argument that she deserved further scrutiny.”

The NYT notes that Williamson spoke with Wilkins on the phone once and never met her in person.

FBI Investigated NYT Reporter Who Wrote About Kash Patel’s Girlfriend

WTAF In March, the FBI began investigating New York Times reporter Elizabeth...

talkingpointsmemo.com

The abuses of power by members of this regime are staggering.

 

[Lockback]

Don, his boss, is famous for suing people or entities when he feels aggrieved. Most notably his suit against the IRS for the embarrassing leak of tax return docs revealing a massive business loss of roughly $1B (doesn't he claim to be a great businessman?). A loss so big it allowed him not to pay taxes for years.

Kash has followed in Don's footsteps by suing the Atlantic after it cited a few dozen people who were interviewed about his excessive drinking. One specific accusation being he could not be awakened while in a drunken stupor. Not good. The Labor Sec. just resigned under a cloud of alleged drinking while on the job. And then there's Pete, who was such a heavy drinker he had to promise he'd stop during his confirmation process. For a non-drinker Don has an affinity for those who over indulge.

Anyway, Patel doesn't have a great track record thus far.

Judge dismisses Kash Patel’s defamation lawsuit over claim he frequented ‘nightclubs’​

A Houston federal court judge on Tuesday dismissed a lawsuit by FBI Director Kash Patel alleging that former FBI official Frank Figliuzzi defamed him by saying Patel last year had “been visible at nightclubs far more than he has been on the seventh floor of” the bureau’s headquarters in Washington, D.C.

“The Court finds that Figliuzzi’s statement is rhetorical hyperbole that cannot constitute defamation,” U.S. District Court Judge George Hanks Jr. wrote in his decision. “Accordingly, Dir. Patel has failed to state a claim against Figliuzzi, and his lawsuit must be dismissed.”

Judge dismisses Kash Patel's defamation lawsuit over claim he frequented 'nightclubs'

The lawsuit against Frank Figliuzzi was dismissed a day after FBI Director Kash Patel sued The Atlantic magazine over claims he abused alcohol.

www.cnbc.com

Although it happens to him all the time, Don doesn't look kindly on very public failures. Is Kash next to go? He's survived other incidents worthy of dismissal. And, so far, all the folks purged from the cabinet have been women.

I sincerely hope someday somebody slanders you in public, lies about you and destroys your reputation (assuming you have one). Then see what it's like to be on the other side of fence.
The Atlantic is a Leftist agitprop organ. I wouldn't believe them if they told me the sun rises in the East. I hope to hell Patel sues them into a smoking financial hole from which they never recover.

 

[Lesh]

I sincerely hope someday somebody slanders you in public, lies about you and destroys your reputation (assuming you have one). Then see what it's like to be on the other side of fence.
The Atlantic is a Leftist agitprop organ. I wouldn't believe them if they told me the sun rises in the East. I hope to hell Patel sues them into a smoking financial hole from which they never recover.

His lawsuit was dismissed yesterday

 

[WEATHER53]

Unbecoming is for tea parties and dainty men and not governance

 

[berg80]

Unbecoming is for tea parties and dainty men and not governance

I see. You'd rather have clownish cowards like trump and manly, unhinged, quacks like RFK Jr running the show. You folks seem to like the strongman imagine they project while damaging the country. Grow up.

 

[Lockback]

His lawsuit was dismissed yesterday

No, Kash Patel's defamation lawsuit against The Atlantic has not been dismissed.

He filed the $250 million suit on April 20, 2026 (in U.S. District Court in Washington, D.C.), against The Atlantic and reporter Sarah Fitzpatrick. It targets an article alleging Patel had "episodes of excessive drinking and unexplained absences" while leading the FBI, which he calls a "sweeping, malicious, and defamatory hit piece" based on anonymous sources. Patel denies the claims and argues the magazine acted with actual malice (the high bar required for public figures in defamation cases).

The Atlantic has called the suit "meritless" and stated it "stands by our reporting" while planning to "vigorously defend" against it. Legal experts note that such cases against media outlets are difficult for public figures to win due to the actual malice standard (requiring proof that the defendant knew the statements were false or acted with reckless disregard for the truth). Many similar suits are dismissed early or fail at trial.

Note that a different defamation suit by Patel (against former FBI official and MSNBC contributor Frank Figliuzzi over a "nightclubs" comment) was dismissed on April 21–22, 2026, by a federal judge in Texas. The judge ruled the statement was rhetorical hyperbole, not a literal factual claim that could support defamation. That case is unrelated to The Atlantic.

As of the latest reports (April 22–23, 2026), the Atlantic case remains active with no dismissal or major rulings yet. It is in its very early stages, so further developments (like a motion to dismiss from The Atlantic) are likely.

 

[WEATHER53]

I see. You'd rather have clownish cowards like trump and manly, unhinged, quacks like RFK Jr running the show. You folks seem to like the strongman imagine they project while damaging the country. Grow up.

No I’d rather you continue your limp wrist flailing about appearances

 

[IM2]

Everyone has the right to defend themselves in court, even Kash and Trump.

That's not what you say about Democrats.

 

[IM2]

Translation:
Most effective FBI director in the past 20 years.
He doesn't drink that much but even if he did I really wouldn't care....he is doing his job. That's really the only part I care about.

I've worked next to all sorts of drug addicts, drunks, thugs, and convicted criminals...even a few women that had the same taste in pretty girls as me.
And so long as they did their job....I didn't care. I wasn't dating them, they don't live with me....I have zero personal feelings about their off work activities.
(They do and that's their business)

So what if Kash only has empty liquor bottles in his liquor cabinet. He is highly successful and doing more than most past directors.

Patel has not been effective.

 

[IM2]

I sincerely hope someday somebody slanders you in public, lies about you and destroys your reputation (assuming you have one). Then see what it's like to be on the other side of fence.
The Atlantic is a Leftist agitprop organ. I wouldn't believe them if they told me the sun rises in the East. I hope to hell Patel sues them into a smoking financial hole from which they never recover.

Patel has not been slandered. The Atlantic is a long-time, well-known, credible source of information. Considering the garbage you use, you should purchase a lifetime subscription to the Atlantic.

 

[berg80]

FBI probing leaks to journalist who wrote explosive article on Kash Patel, sources say​

The FBI has launched a criminal leak investigation focusing on an Atlantic magazine journalist who wrote a deeply unflattering account last month of Director Kash Patel’s work habits, two people familiar with the matter told MS NOW.

The sources said the so-called insider threat investigation is highly unusual because it did not stem from a disclosure of classified information and because it is focused on leaks to a reporter. The agents involved are part of an insider threats unit based in Huntsville, Alabama, the sources added.

Typically, leak investigations look into government officials who may have disclosed state secrets or classified documents. Journalists who receive and publish such information have typically only been involved as potential witnesses.

The journalist, Sarah Fitzpatrick, cited two dozen anonymous sources in a detailed story reporting that Patel’s alcohol consumption and erratic behavior had caused deep concern among FBI officials. Patel was known to drink to the point of intoxication, she reported, adding that on occasion his security detail had trouble waking him in the morning.

Patel immediately sued The Atlantic, saying the story contained falsehoods and claiming he had been defamed. The magazine and Fitzpatrick stood by her reporting, saying they had received additional corroboration after it was published.

FBI probing leaks to journalist who wrote explosive article on Kash Patel, sources say

MS NOW has learned that agents are investigating the Atlantic reporter who wrote about Patel’s alleged heavy drinking and erratic behavior.

www.ms.now

Gee, who could imagine Ka$h having a drinking problem.

 

[Lockback]

FBI probing leaks to journalist who wrote explosive article on Kash Patel, sources say​

The FBI has launched a criminal leak investigation focusing on an Atlantic magazine journalist who wrote a deeply unflattering account last month of Director Kash Patel’s work habits, two people familiar with the matter told MS NOW.

The sources said the so-called insider threat investigation is highly unusual because it did not stem from a disclosure of classified information and because it is focused on leaks to a reporter. The agents involved are part of an insider threats unit based in Huntsville, Alabama, the sources added.

Typically, leak investigations look into government officials who may have disclosed state secrets or classified documents. Journalists who receive and publish such information have typically only been involved as potential witnesses.

The journalist, Sarah Fitzpatrick, cited two dozen anonymous sources in a detailed story reporting that Patel’s alcohol consumption and erratic behavior had caused deep concern among FBI officials. Patel was known to drink to the point of intoxication, she reported, adding that on occasion his security detail had trouble waking him in the morning.

Patel immediately sued The Atlantic, saying the story contained falsehoods and claiming he had been defamed. The magazine and Fitzpatrick stood by her reporting, saying they had received additional corroboration after it was published.

FBI probing leaks to journalist who wrote explosive article on Kash Patel, sources say

MS NOW has learned that agents are investigating the Atlantic reporter who wrote about Patel’s alleged heavy drinking and erratic behavior.

www.ms.now

Gee, who could imagine Ka$h having a drinking problem.

I could take a picture of you in a bar and print an article about how you're a drunk even if that's the only drink you had in a week.
You're intellectually deficient. Very dishonest.

 

[Zincwarrior]

This administration is literally out of its mind.

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/us/news/2026/05/07/kash-patel-under-scrutiny-fbi-bourbon-giveaways/

 

[Lesh]

A leak investigation regarding the director’s reputation?

Are ya kidding?

 

[Lesh]

This administration is literally out of its mind.

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/us/news/2026/05/07/kash-patel-under-scrutiny-fbi-bourbon-giveaways/

View attachment 1253375

I thought this was a joke.

It’s not

Kash Patel’s Personalized Bourbon Stash

The FBI director has been leaving an unusual calling card.

www.theatlantic.com

 

[berg80]

Maybe Ka$h thinks this is the best way to hold on to his job.

Kash Patel appeals dismissal of defamation lawsuit against ex-FBI official Figliuzzi​

FBI Director Kash Patel on Thursday filed an appeal of the recent dismissal of his defamation lawsuit against former FBI official Frank Figliuzzi.

Patel had sued Figliuzzi in Houston federal court, alleging that the former FBI counterintelligence assistant director defamed him in a May 2, 2025, interview on MS NOW’s “Morning Joe” by saying Patel had “been visible at nightclubs far more than he has been on the seventh floor of” FBI headquarters.

U.S. District Court Judge George Hanks Jr., in his April 21 decision dismissing Patel’s lawsuit, said that Figliuzzi’s statement was “rhetorical hyperbole that cannot constitute defamation.”

“Accordingly, Dir. Patel has failed to state a claim against Figliuzzi, and his lawsuit must be dismissed,” Hanks wrote.

Patel’s bid to overturn that ruling will be heard by the 5th Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals.

Kash Patel appeals dismissal of defamation lawsuit against ex-FBI official Figliuzzi

www.cnbc.com