MS NOW Misreports FBI Director’s Russia Trip
MS NOW falsely claimed FBI Director Kash Patel was in Russia, sparking backlash from the FBI and Patel himself.
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MS NOW falsely reported that FBI Director Kash Patel had arrived in Russia for a scheduled meeting, sparking immediate backlash from the FBI and Patel himself. The network’s claim was quickly debunked by the FBI’s Rapid Response account on X, which posted footage of the network’s Wednesday broadcast side-by-side with video of Patel speaking at Liberty University in Lynchburg, Virginia.
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 MS Now’s “sources” are “familiar” with NOTHING! https://t.co/4i26hV70VW
Anchor Peter Alexander opened the segment by citing two unnamed sources who said Patel had arrived in Russia for a meeting. Correspondent Ken Dilanian added warnings about the risks, stating the FSB would try to surveil the director and crack into his devices while his purpose in the country remained unclear. (RELATED: Legacy Media Outlets Suing Trump Admin Over White House Ban)
Dilanian later corrected the report on air, admitting it was wrong. “We regret this error,” he said on MS NOW.
Patel responded on X, accusing the outlet of lying about the bureau and demanding an apology. Ben Williamson, the FBI’s assistant director for public affairs, wrote on the platform that he watched the breaking news clip air just as photos of Patel at the Lynchburg event reached his phone.
MS NOW just reported I had “landed in Russia” for meetings with the FSB. The same outlet constantly tells lies about this FBI and law enforcement’s historic achievements in safeguarding the American people. The results speak for themselves: • 53,969+ violent crime arrests (up 90%) • Nearly 20% decrease in the nationwide murder rate • 31,016+ violent criminals and gang members arrested (up 30%) • 10 of the FBI’s Ten Most Wanted fugitives captured (2.5× the prior four years) • 11,081+ child victims located and identified (up 21%) • 3,258+ kilos of fentanyl seized (up 8%) — enough to kill 247+ million Americans This is no accident. It is due to the relentless work of this FBI and all of our state, local, and tribal partners. They owe an apology to this FBI, the men and women of law enforcement, and to the American people. -DKP🇺🇸
Politico reported in July that Patel was tentatively set to visit Moscow and St. Petersburg on Oct. 14 and 15, with the FSB expected to serve as host. Such a trip would make him the first FBI director to enter Russia since Robert Mueller in 2013.
Patel’s fiancée, country singer Alexis Wilkins, sued MSNOW and Dilanian this summer over what she describes as defamatory claims that the director ordered FBI agents to escort her drunken friends home after nights out partying in Nashville, Mediaite reported.
Source: Daily Caller