Kash Patel sues the Atlantic over article alleging excessive drinking
The Guardian • • general
Key Points:
- Kash Patel, FBI director, has filed a $250 million defamation lawsuit against the Atlantic and reporter Sarah Fitzpatrick over a story alleging excessive drinking and unexplained absences during his FBI tenure.
- Patel’s legal team claims the article contained false, fabricated allegations based on partisan anonymous sources and accuses the Atlantic of actual malice and insufficient opportunity to respond.
- The Atlantic stands by its reporting, citing multiple sources, and vows to vigorously defend against the lawsuit, with editor Jeffrey Goldberg and Fitzpatrick affirming the story's accuracy.
- Patel’s lawsuit follows a pre-publication threat letter and highlights ongoing tensions between the Trump administration and the press, with lawsuits exchanged over critical coverage.
- Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer has used the Atlantic report to call for Patel’s resignation, labeling him unfit and a national security risk due to alleged behavior.
