Trump Dismisses Claims of Removing Kash Patel and Calls Media Reports Fabricated

President Donald Trump issued a staunch endorsement of FBI Director Kash Patel on Tuesday, November 26, 2025, dismissing media reports of his potential dismissal as entirely fabricated during a brief exchange aboard Air Force One. Responding to queries about a Mississippi State News (MS NOW) article suggesting Trump was eyeing a replacement, the president affirmed, “No, he’s doing a great job, I think,” underscoring his unwavering support for the controversial appointee whose tenure has been marked by persistent scrutiny over conduct and decision-making.

The controversy ignited when MS NOW reported that Trump was contemplating appointing FBI co-Deputy Director Andrew Bailey, the former Missouri attorney general, to supplant Patel and possibly his deputy, Dan Bongino, a prominent conservative commentator with limited law enforcement credentials. Sources cited internal White House concerns regarding Patel's social media engagements during active investigations and the utilization of government resources for personal travel, including multiple flights on official jets to visit his girlfriend, country music artist Alexis Wilkins. The FBI refrained from immediate comment, while MS NOW maintained confidence in its sourcing, heightening tensions between the administration and investigative outlets.

Trump's defense echoed sentiments expressed in a recent Fox News Radio interview, where he professed “a lot of confidence” in Patel's leadership, portraying the director as a steadfast ally in navigating the bureau's challenges. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt amplified this stance on X, labeling the ouster narrative “completely made up” and accusing media entities of perpetuating baseless attacks on loyal officials. Such rebuttals reflect a broader pattern of the administration confronting leaks and criticisms, particularly as Patel's unconventional background—rooted in political advocacy rather than traditional federal service—continues to polarize observers.

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Patel's directorship has been shadowed by a series of ethical lapses and operational missteps that have drawn bipartisan rebuke. A New York Times exposé revealed the FBI's deployment of a SWAT team to safeguard Wilkins amid perceived threats, alongside Patel's repeated use of government aircraft for non-official purposes, such as a recreational golf outing, which he justified as essential for maintaining secure communications. Legal scholars have condemned his habit of commenting on ongoing probes via social media, including posts related to the manhunt for the suspect in the assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk and a foiled Halloween terror plot in Michigan, arguing that such actions compromise investigative integrity and public trust.

This episode underscores the precarious balance within Trump's inner circle, where loyalty often supersedes procedural norms, potentially foreshadowing deeper fissures as the administration advances its agenda. While Patel's retention bolsters the president's narrative of unyielding resolve against institutional adversaries, unresolved questions about accountability could erode the FBI's operational efficacy and invite further congressional oversight. As the White House fortifies its defenses, the saga of Patel's stewardship remains a litmus test for the administration's tolerance of controversy in high office.

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