President Donald Trump privately expressed disappointment to FBI Director Kash Patel regarding Patel’s conduct during the 2026 Winter Olympics in Italy, according to a person familiar with the discussion. The concerns reportedly centered on Patel’s participation in a celebratory locker-room moment with members of the U.S. men’s hockey team and his use of a government aircraft for the trip.
Patel drew national attention after video circulated online showing him celebrating with the United States men’s national ice hockey team following its dramatic 2–1 victory over Canada to win the Olympic gold medal. The win marked the team’s first Olympic championship since the historic 1980 triumph widely known as the “Miracle on Ice.”
In footage first published by ProPublica, Patel—an avid hockey fan—appeared inside the locker room with players shortly after the game. The video shows him enthusiastically participating in the celebration, including drinking a beer, banging on a table, and cheering with the team.
The scene quickly went viral on social media, prompting debate in Washington over whether the display was appropriate for a senior federal law enforcement official and whether his travel arrangements complied with government policies governing official trips.
Despite the controversy, the White House signaled continued support for Patel’s leadership at the bureau. White House spokesperson Jackson emphasized the administration’s broader law-enforcement agenda in a statement.
“Crime rates are dropping across the board,” Jackson said. “This is a direct result of the President’s law and order agenda, which is being successfully implemented by his law enforcement team, including FBI Director Kash Patel. The President has full confidence in his administration.”
Patel has maintained that his trip to Italy was conducted in an official capacity and was not solely related to attending Olympic events. In a post on the social media platform X, he defended the locker-room moment.
“Yes, I love America and was honored when my friends, the newly crowned Team USA gold medalists, invited me into the locker room to celebrate this historic moment,” Patel wrote, calling it a proud moment for the country and the sport.
