Kash Patel Files $250 Million Defamation Suit Against The Atlantic

U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia, seeking $250 million in damages over an article alleging he has a drinking problem that could pose a threat to national security. , initially titled 'Kash Patel's Erratic Behavior Could Cost Him His Job' and later changed to 'The FBI Director Is MIA' in its online version.

The piece cited more than two dozen anonymous sources who expressed concern about Patel’s conspicuous inebriation and unexplained absences that alarmed officials at the FBI and the Department of Justice. The article reported that during Patel’s tenure, the FBI rescheduled early meetings as a result of his alcohol-fueled nights.

It also stated that Patel is often away or unreachable, delaying time-sensitive decisions needed to advance investigations.

In the presence of White House and other administration staff, and that he drinks to excess at the Poodle Room in Las Vegas, where he frequently spends parts of his weekends. The article further alleged that on multiple occasions in the past year, members of Patel's security detail had difficulty waking him because he was seemingly intoxicated.

It reported that a request for breaching equipment was made last year because Patel had been unreachable behind locked doors.

The White House, the Department of Justice, and Patel denied the allegations in The Atlantic's article. In an interview with Reuters, Patel said, 'The Atlantic's story is a lie. Patel threatened to sue The Atlantic on Sunday in an appearance on Fox News.

Asking for more time to refute 19 allegations. The lawsuit alleges that The Atlantic acted with actual malice, stating that the defendants' decision to ignore the pre-publication letter and refusal to give time to respond is evidence of actual malice. Patel's suit lists 17 specific claims made by the article as false and defamatory statements of fact.