Kash Patel Olympics Controversy: FBI Director Parties With Team USA Hockey in Locker Room After Gold Medal Win
FBI Director Kash Patel is at the center of a firestorm today, Monday, February 23, 2026, after videos surfaced showing him celebrating inside Team USA's locker room following the men's ice hockey gold medal victory over Canada at the 2026 Milan Cortina Olympics — a trip critics say he took on a taxpayer-funded government jet under the guise of official business.
What Kash Patel Did at the Olympics
Kash Patel flew to Milan, Italy on an FBI jet ahead of the final days of the 2026 Winter Olympics, attending the U.S. men's hockey semifinal against Slovakia and then the gold medal final against Canada on Sunday, February 22. After Team USA's dramatic overtime win, Patel was captured on camera inside the players' locker room celebrating with the squad.
Video from Detroit Red Wings captain and Team USA center Dylan Larkin's post-game Instagram Live shows Patel appearing to flash a shaka sign and congratulate the players. A separate clip shared by ProPublica reporter William Turton shows Kash Patel appearing to chug a beer bottle before pounding a table with his fist in celebration. In perhaps the most viral moment, forward Matthew Tkachuk is seen draping his gold medal around Patel's neck as the group breaks into a loud rendition of Toby Keith's "Courtesy of the Red, White and Blue."
The FBI Jet Controversy and Cost to Taxpayers
The Kash Patel Olympics trip has reignited long-standing criticism over his use of government aircraft. The FBI director has previously drawn scrutiny for using an FBI jet to fly to Pennsylvania to attend a wrestling event where his girlfriend, country singer Alexis Wilkins, was performing. This Italy trip is estimated to have cost taxpayers up to $75,000 USD, according to reporting by the Daily Mail.
FBI spokesperson Ben Williamson defended the trip, saying it was not personal in nature, was planned months in advance, and involved official government business — including a meeting Saturday at the Milan Joint Operations Center, an interagency security operation supporting the Winter Olympics and Paralympic Games.
Patel Fires Back at Critics
Kash Patel went on offense Sunday night, posting a lengthy defense on X and refusing to apologize. "For the very concerned media — yes, I love America and was extremely humbled when my friends, the newly minted Gold Medal winners on Team USA, invited me into the locker room to celebrate this historic moment with the boys," he wrote. He also pushed back on the broader framing of the trip, writing that nearly 100 U.S. government personnel had been deployed to support Olympic security since early 2026. "With lessons we'll take into the FIFA World Cup later this summer," he added, referencing the upcoming tournament set to be held in the United States.
Political Reaction: Split Along Predictable Lines
The backlash was swift and loud, but so was the defense.
| Side | Key Reaction |
|---|---|
| Critics | Questioned use of FBI jet; cited Epstein files delays; called trip a taxpayer-funded vacation |
| Supporters | Praised Patel's patriotism; cheered his locker room presence with gold medalists |
| Don Lemon | Called the celebration "trashy" on social media — and faced immediate blowback from conservatives |
| Jamie Foxx | Had a separate controversy at the BAFTAs the same night |
Social media users on the left questioned the timing — the Kash Patel Olympics trip took place the same day as a shooting incident at Mar-a-Lago, drawing a contrast between his location and his responsibilities. Others referenced the Justice Department's slow-moving release of the Jeffrey Epstein files, questioning his priorities. Critics also noted that the FBI, in coordination with the Pima County Sheriff's Department, is simultaneously investigating the ongoing disappearance of Nancy Guthrie — the 84-year-old mother of NBC anchor Savannah Guthrie, missing for over three weeks.
Who Is Kash Patel?
Kash Patel, confirmed as FBI Director in early 2025, is a former congressional staffer and Trump administration official known for his fierce loyalty to former — and now current — President Donald Trump. He is an avid hockey fan who plays the sport recreationally. His tenure at the FBI has been marked by controversy from the start, including personnel shakeups, criticism over transparency, and repeated questions about the use of government aircraft for personal or semi-personal travel. His girlfriend, Alexis Wilkins, recently made headlines of her own, urging men to be "courageous" in a widely circulated social media post.
The videos of Patel in the Olympic locker room remain widely circulating across social platforms as of Monday morning, with both defenders and critics ensuring the story stays at the top of the national conversation.
