FBI Chief Patel Celebrates Team USA Hockey Gold in Milan
Was Patel's Italy trip a taxpayer-funded junket or legitimate government business with Olympic diplomacy?
Above: U.S. FBI Director Kash Patel at the Men's Gold Medal match between Canada and the United States during the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan, Italy on Feb. 22. Image credit: ElsaStaff/Getty Images
The Spin
Left narrative
Patel's taxpayer-funded Italian junket masquerading as official business exposed his shameless abuse of FBI resources while critical cases languish. The director partied in Milan locker rooms, drinking beers as Nancy Guthrie remained missing for weeks and cartel violence endangered Americans in Mexico.
Right narrative
Director Patel conducted legitimate government business in Italy with preplanned meetings involving Italian law enforcement and Olympic security briefings before celebrating America's first hockey gold in 46 years. The FBI director's presence honored Team USA's historic achievement and demonstrated patriotic support for American athletes on the world stage.
