FBI says Patel was at Liberty University, not in Russia
Federal Bureau of InvestigationFederal Bureau of Investigation, Rapid Response account on X
The FBI's Rapid Response account posts the MS NOW segment beside video of Patel at an event at Liberty University and mocks the network's sources.
Responding to
Kash Patel landed in Russia on October 14, 2026, for a meeting scheduled to take place there.
“Here's where Kash Patel actually is... Liberty U, doing a law enforcement appreciation event”
Original post
Reporting
Where this statement fits
Raskin and Himes urge Kash Patel to call off a reported Russia trip; MS NOW corrects a report that he had landed there
POLITICO reported in July 2026 that FBI Director Kash Patel planned to visit Moscow and St. Petersburg on October 14 and 15, likely hosted by Russia's Federal Security Service (FSB). On October 9, Reps. Jamie Raskin and Jim Himes, the top Democrats on the House Judiciary and Intelligence committees, released a letter asking Patel to call off the trip, citing the FSB's record of espionage against U.S. officials. On October 14, MS NOW reported that Patel had landed in Russia. The FBI posted video of Patel at Liberty University in Lynchburg, Virginia, and MS NOW corrected its report on air that afternoon, saying the timing of any potential trip remains unclear.
Source and context
Original post
About this source
Post by the FBI's Rapid Response account on X, with video of the MS NOW segment reporting that Patel had landed in Russia next to video of Patel at a law enforcement appreciation event at Liberty University in Lynchburg, Virginia.
Archived copy (opens in a new tab)Reporting
About this source
The National News Desk report on MS NOW's October 14, 2026, on-air report that Patel had landed in Russia, the FBI Rapid Response post showing him at Liberty University in Lynchburg, Virginia, Ken Dilanian's on-air correction later that day and Patel's posts about the report.
Before the quotation
MS NOW reported, citing two people familiar with the matter, that Patel had landed in Russia for a meeting scheduled to take place there.
After the quotation
MS NOW correspondent Ken Dilanian corrected the report on air later that day, saying Patel did not land in Russia and remains in the U.S.
How this statement is classified
The label describes this statement's response within the context above.
Why this label?
MS NOW reported that Patel had landed in Russia. The FBI disputes that report by showing him at an event in Lynchburg, Virginia, the same day, so we used denies.
- Recorded on
- Published here
- People and groups discussed
- MS NOW
More from this case
Read the full caseKash Patel says MS NOW constantly tells lies about the FBI after its Russia report
“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.”Read statement
In a letter with Jamie Raskin, Jim Himes says Patel could be traveling to Russia in furtherance of its campaign against American democracy
“We are troubled that you could be traveling to Russia, not only out of apparent ignorance of its malign intentions, but in furtherance of its longstanding campaign to undermine American democracy.”Read statement
Jamie Raskin asks Kash Patel to call off his reported Russia trip
“In the interest of national security, we ask you to reconsider. Call off this trip.”Read statement
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- FBI says Patel was at Liberty University, not in Russia
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The Dispute Index. "FBI says Patel was at Liberty University, not in Russia". First published: 2026-10-24. Last updated: 2026-10-24. https://disputeindex.com/events/6655-the-fbi-s-rapid-response-account-posts-the