The FBI explained Director Patel’s trip to the Olympics in Milan
23 february 2026 в 23:13
The Director of the FBI, Kash Patel, attended the 2026 Winter Olympics, and some people are questioning why he was there after a video of him celebrating with the U.S. men’s hockey team went viral. Critics accused Patel of using taxpayer dollars to fund his trip to Milan, Italy, and his visit came shortly after JD Vance and Usha Vance appeared at the Games.
Here’s what is known about Patel’s visit to the Olympics in Milan-Cortina.
Patel did not stay at the Olympics for long. His visit appeared to be brief, as he was spotted at the men’s gold medal final on February 22. Later that evening, a video of him drinking beer and celebrating with the hockey team in their locker room went viral on social media.
According to CBS News, Patel flew on a government plane from Andrews Air Force Base near Washington, D.C., to a U.S. Air Force base in Italy on February 19. However, the FBI denied that this was a personal trip, insisting that Patel’s visit had been planned months in advance.
«No, this is not a personal trip. Director Patel is on a trip that was planned several months ago. It includes: meetings with partners…» wrote Ben Williamson on Twitter.
FBI spokesperson Ben Williamson commented on CBS’s report about Patel’s flight in a tweet stating, «No, this is not a personal trip. Director Patel is on a trip that was planned several months ago. It includes: meetings with Italian law enforcement and security agencies (they invited the director last July), a meeting with Ambassador Ferritta (as a follow-up to our law enforcement roundtable he held in January), meetings with Legat staff, and much more».
Williamson added that the FBI «also plays a vital role in ensuring the security of the Olympics — just like with the World Cup, Formula 1, and other events — so we have a U.S. consulate briefing on Olympic security and the current position of the FBI, as well as gratitude for the FBI personnel on site».
Apparently, Patel was there to watch the men’s hockey final between the U.S. team and Canada. Patel was photographed in the stands of the hockey arena in Milan Sant’Agostino, where he was wearing a white U.S. jersey, supporting the team.
«Unity, sacrifice, mindset — that’s what it takes to be the best in the world», - Patel wrote later that day about the U.S. men’s Olympic hockey team. «These men live and breathe this. Now the U.S. team are champions, legends standing on the shoulders of giants. Thank you for representing the greatest country on earth in the greatest game ever created. Congratulations, guys».
In a separate tweet that evening, Patel addressed the «very concerned media» regarding his appearance in the locker room with the men’s team, adding, «Yes, I love America and was extremely humbled when my friends, who just became gold medalists on the U.S. team, invited me into the locker room to celebrate this historic moment with the guys — the greatest country on earth and the greatest sport on earth»
Here’s what is known about Patel’s visit to the Olympics in Milan-Cortina.
Patel did not stay at the Olympics for long. His visit appeared to be brief, as he was spotted at the men’s gold medal final on February 22. Later that evening, a video of him drinking beer and celebrating with the hockey team in their locker room went viral on social media.
According to CBS News, Patel flew on a government plane from Andrews Air Force Base near Washington, D.C., to a U.S. Air Force base in Italy on February 19. However, the FBI denied that this was a personal trip, insisting that Patel’s visit had been planned months in advance.
«No, this is not a personal trip. Director Patel is on a trip that was planned several months ago. It includes: meetings with partners…» wrote Ben Williamson on Twitter.
FBI spokesperson Ben Williamson commented on CBS’s report about Patel’s flight in a tweet stating, «No, this is not a personal trip. Director Patel is on a trip that was planned several months ago. It includes: meetings with Italian law enforcement and security agencies (they invited the director last July), a meeting with Ambassador Ferritta (as a follow-up to our law enforcement roundtable he held in January), meetings with Legat staff, and much more».
Williamson added that the FBI «also plays a vital role in ensuring the security of the Olympics — just like with the World Cup, Formula 1, and other events — so we have a U.S. consulate briefing on Olympic security and the current position of the FBI, as well as gratitude for the FBI personnel on site».
Apparently, Patel was there to watch the men’s hockey final between the U.S. team and Canada. Patel was photographed in the stands of the hockey arena in Milan Sant’Agostino, where he was wearing a white U.S. jersey, supporting the team.
«Unity, sacrifice, mindset — that’s what it takes to be the best in the world», - Patel wrote later that day about the U.S. men’s Olympic hockey team. «These men live and breathe this. Now the U.S. team are champions, legends standing on the shoulders of giants. Thank you for representing the greatest country on earth in the greatest game ever created. Congratulations, guys».
In a separate tweet that evening, Patel addressed the «very concerned media» regarding his appearance in the locker room with the men’s team, adding, «Yes, I love America and was extremely humbled when my friends, who just became gold medalists on the U.S. team, invited me into the locker room to celebrate this historic moment with the guys — the greatest country on earth and the greatest sport on earth»
© Puhova Marina
