Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member Latest Breaking News Editorials & Other Articles General Discussion The DU Lounge All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search

LetMyPeopleVote

(180,454 posts)
8. Kash Patel parties with Team USA hockey champs after taking FBI jet to Italy as aide defends 'official business' trip
Sun Feb 22, 2026, 07:33 PM
Feb 22

Kash Patel parties with Team USA hockey champs after taking FBI jet to Italy as aide defends ‘official business’ trip

Kash Patel parties with Team USA hockey champs after taking FBI jet to Italy as aide defends ‘official business’ trip

www.independent.co.uk/news/world/a...

@born2balive.bsky.social 2026-02-22T23:17:34.588Z

https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/us-politics/kash-patel-olympics-europe-travel-b2925401.html

FBI Director Kash Patel is once again under fire for his use of official FBI resources for travel as he appeared alongside gold medal-winning members of Team USA hockey on Sunday at the Olympics in Milano Cortina.

The FBI chief has was previously accused of using federal government resources to take “extravagant” trips with his girlfriend, allegedly earning him the derisive nickname “Make-a-Wish Director” behind closed doors.

But on Sunday he posted photos of himself grinning alongside members of the men’s hockey team mere hours after a spokesperson for his agency blasted the mere suggestion that Patel had used government resources for a personal vacation.

He was also captured celebrating in the locker room on team member Dylan Larkin’s Instagram Live.

It’s an awkward look for the director, whose agency is already battling perceptions that he is unqualified for the job and unserious with his management of the agency and use of its resources.......

Last year, Patel was accused of using a government Gulfstream jet for personal use to fly around and see his girlfriend, country music singer Alexis Wilkins

Just two years earlier, Patel — then a podcaster and right-wing influencer — had complained that FBI Director Chris Wray was benefitting from "private jet travel that he pays for with taxpayer dollars to hop around the country.”

Now it’s Patel facing that same accusation and claiming that he uses the plane less than his predecessors, while defending their usage for personal trips. Among the reported excursions, Patel has used the jet for a golfing trip in Scotland as well as to go hunting in Texas, along with “date nights” with Wilkins.

Recommendations

0 members have recommended this reply (displayed in chronological order):

Shameless unqualified fool BlueWaveNeverEnd Feb 22 #1
Kash Patel was accidentally recorded on Team USA's Dylan Larkin's Instagram video (now-deleted) LetMyPeopleVote Feb 22 #2
Of course it's one of the Tkachuks yelling xmas74 Feb 22 #17
Disgusting Rebl2 Feb 22 #3
UGH............ Lovie777 Feb 22 #4
Our DOGE checks paid for the trip bucolic_frolic Feb 22 #5
Private jet for THE NOEM and her boy toy... MerryBlooms Feb 22 #6
Sadly I was rooting for Canada. I hate what I've allowed trump to make me feel. chicoescuela Feb 22 #7
I watched the game, which was really, really entertaining. Morbius Feb 23 #22
You're a better man than I am and more hockey savvy. chicoescuela Feb 23 #23
Kash Patel parties with Team USA hockey champs after taking FBI jet to Italy as aide defends 'official business' trip LetMyPeopleVote Feb 22 #8
American taxpayers paid $75,000 so Kash Patel could fly on a govt airplane to Milan and hang out with USA men's team LetMyPeopleVote Feb 22 #9
The hockey team should've tossed him out on his ass MustLoveBeagles Feb 22 #10
The Tkachuks probably invited him in. xmas74 Feb 22 #18
I see MustLoveBeagles Feb 22 #19
Look around social media xmas74 Feb 23 #21
Hardest working man in the government. LetMyPeopleVote Feb 22 #11
A lot of republicans sure like chugging beer and hanging with hot sweaty men Blue Owl Feb 22 #12
I've noticed that MustLoveBeagles Feb 22 #20
Yeah... but... Kamala Harris once bought a pot in Paris IcyPeas Feb 22 #13
Our hockey team has a hedgehog as their mascot? oasis Feb 22 #14
MS NOW-FBI chief shown in raucous locker room celebration during Olympics trip LetMyPeopleVote Feb 22 #15
This isn't a scandal kwolf68 Feb 22 #16
A Couple of MAGAt Hockey "Bros" within... NEOH Feb 23 #24
Latest Discussions»General Discussion»Kash Patel is enjoying a ...»Reply #8