FBI Director Kash Patel sues MSNBC columnist Frank Figliuzzi for ‘fabricating a specific lie’ with outlandish nightclub claim

FBI Director Kash Patel has filed a lawsuit in Texas against MSNBC contributor Frank Figliuzzi, claiming that Figliuzzi knowingly made up a false and damaging statement about him. Figliuzzi had said on air that Patel was reportedly spending more time in nightclubs than at the FBI’s main office in Washington, D.C. Patel’s lawyers argue this was a complete lie.

They emphasized that since becoming FBI Director, Patel hasn’t been in a single nightclub at all. They accused Figliuzzi of inventing the story entirely on his own and using the word “reportedly” as a cover to make it seem like the information came from a legitimate source — when it didn’t. The lawsuit claims this was an intentional attempt to damage Patel’s reputation and was driven by personal bias.

Patel’s attorneys also pointed to earlier comments by Figliuzzi, where he harshly criticized Patel as being unfit for his role and accused him of blindly supporting Donald Trump instead of upholding the Constitution. These past remarks, they say, show Figliuzzi’s clear dislike of Patel and support the argument that this recent claim was made out of malice.

The lawsuit says Figliuzzi’s goal was to boost his own public profile by spreading false, attention-grabbing claims at Patel’s expense. Patel’s legal team is calling the nightclub comment defamation — a serious and intentional attack on Patel’s character.

MSNBC walked back the claim in May, admitting they hadn’t verified the information. Anchor Jonathan Lemire said it was a “misstatement.” Still, Figliuzzi hasn’t responded publicly to the lawsuit or the accusations.

This lawsuit could become a high-profile legal battle over media responsibility and the boundaries of political commentary — especially when it involves public officials and national security.