FBI Confirms Kash Patel Was Not in Russia, Clarifies MS Now Report

WASHINGTON — FBI Director Kash Patel addressed a report from MS Now on Wednesday that incorrectly stated he had arrived in Moscow for a trip to Russia. The FBI clarified that Patel was actually visiting Liberty University in Virginia. MS Now reporter Ken Dilanian mentioned on-air that they were unsure of Patel's activities in Russia, citing 'two people familiar with the matter.' In response, the FBI posted on X, stating, 'MS Now’s “sources” are “familiar” with NOTHING!' and provided side-by-side videos showing the erroneous report alongside footage of Patel at the university. The FBI's post read, 'Left: MS Now reports two sources familiar say Kash Patel just landed in Russia. Right: Here’s where Kash Patel actually is… Liberty U, doing a law enforcement appreciation event.' Patel supported the FBI's statement, emphasizing, 'Facts over clickbait.' Dilanian later acknowledged the error, stating, 'We’ve since learned that Patel did not, in fact, land in Russia today and remains in the US.' Plans for a mid-October visit by Patel to Russia were reported in July by Politico. Other senior Trump administration officials have visited Moscow this year, including CIA Director John Ratcliffe, who was in the Russian capital on August 25 to discuss tensions with NATO members amid the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. Efforts to address the Russia-Ukraine war have involved Trump’s special envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, who met with Russian President Vladimir Putin last month before traveling to Kyiv to meet Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.