By SPEAKIN’ OUT NEWS
FBI Director Kash Patel is facing backlash on social media after a video surfaced showing him celebrating with the U.S. men’s Olympic hockey team in Milan following their gold medal victory over Canada.
In footage obtained by ProPublica reporter William Turton, Patel is seen inside the team’s locker room wearing a gold medal and chugging beer as Toby Keith’s “Courtesy of the Red, White and Blue” plays in the background. The celebration came after Team USA secured a historic win against its longtime rival.
The video quickly ignited criticism online, with some questioning whether the trip was an appropriate use of taxpayer funds.
Former CNN anchor Don Lemon blasted the appearance in a video posted to Instagram. “Why are you even there? On taxpayer dollars, on the plane,” Lemon said. “This administration is so tacky. You people have no class, it’s just gross. You’re trashy, it’s disgusting.”
Liberal commentator Brian Krassenstein also criticized Patel on X, alleging the director spent “hundreds of thousands of dollars of our money so that he could get drunk on our dime at a hockey game.”
Mike Nellis, who has more than 120,000 followers on X, called for Patel’s resignation, accusing him of abusing access to government resources.
Patel defended his actions, stating he was invited into the locker room by the team. He also noted that he visited the Milan Joint Operations Center during the trip.
“Yes, I love America and was extremely humbled when my friends… invited me into the locker room to celebrate this historic moment,” Patel posted.
The FBI has not issued additional comments.