{"id":2572454,"date":"2026-02-22T22:29:02","date_gmt":"2026-02-23T03:29:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/patel-defends-olympics-trip-after-partying-with-us-hockey-team\/"},"modified":"2026-02-22T22:30:37","modified_gmt":"2026-02-23T03:30:37","slug":"patel-defends-olympics-trip-after-partying-with-us-hockey-team","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/patel-defends-olympics-trip-after-partying-with-us-hockey-team\/","title":{"rendered":"Patel defends Olympics trip after partying with US hockey team"},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"float:left\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">20<\/div><span class=\"mashsb-sharetext\">SHARES<\/span><\/div><div class=\"mashsb-buttons\"><a class=\"mashicon-facebook mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservativenewsdaily.net%2Fbreaking-news%2Fpatel-defends-olympics-trip-after-partying-with-us-hockey-team%2F\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-twitter mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=&amp;url=https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=2572454&amp;via=ConservNewsDly\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-subscribe mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"#\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Subscribe<\/span><\/a><div class=\"onoffswitch2 mash-medium mashsb-noshadow\" style=\"display:none\"><\/div><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                <div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/aside>\n            <!-- Share buttons by mashshare.net - Version: 4.0.47--><p>Kash Patel,reportedly the FBI director,defended his Milan trip for the Winter Olympics after footage showed him celebrating with the U.S. men\u2019s hockey team following their <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/six-extinction-rebellion-activists-arrested-after-climbing-onto-oil-tanker-in-london\/\" title=\"Six Extinction Rebellion Activists Arrested After Climbing Onto Oil Tanker in London\">gold-medal win<\/a> over Canada. Authorities reportedly used the bureau\u2019s jet for the visit, which Patel said included official business such as meetings with Italian police officials and the U.S.Ambassador too Italy, Tilman Fertitta, and was not a personal trip. He attended Team USA\u2019s <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/team-usa-basketball-wins-fourth-consecutive-olympic-gold-medal\/\" title=\"... basketball Wins Fourth Consecutive Olympic ...\">gold-medal game<\/a> and later posted a message praising the players in the locker room, fueling further scrutiny when additional footage appeared of him celebrating in the locker room with the team. Patel issued a statement arguing his affection for america and his respect for the players\u2019 achievement, while opponents questioned the travel expense and the use of taxpayer funds. The incident adds to prior scrutiny of his travel on government jets for various trips, with estimates suggesting the Milan trip could cost tens of thousands of dollars, possibly up to about $75,000.  <\/p>\n<p class=\"readmore\">\n    <button onclick=\"showReadMore()\" id=\"readmorebtn\">Read more&#8230;<\/button>\n<\/p>\n<hr id=\"line\">\n<span id=\"more\"><\/p>\n<p><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><\/p>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-button\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-icon td-icon-mobile\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-header-search-button-mob dropdown-toggle\" data-toggle=\"dropdown\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-search-icon td-icon-search\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-button\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-icon td-icon-mobile\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<div class=\"tdb-drop-down-search\" aria-labelledby=\"td-header-search-button\">\n<div class=\"tdb-drop-down-search-inner\">\n<form method=\"get\" class=\"tdb-search-form\" action=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/\"><\/form>\n<div class=\"tdb-aj-search\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/#\" role=\"button\" aria-label=\"Search\" class=\"tdb-head-search-btn dropdown-toggle\" data-toggle=\"dropdown\"><i class=\"tdb-search-icon td-icon-search\"><\/i><\/a><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<h1 class=\"tdb-title-text\">Patel defends Olympics trip after footage shows him partying with US hockey team<\/h1>\n<div><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-title-line\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<div id=\"Brid_2510607\" class=\"tpd-featured-video bridtv\"><\/div>\n<p>FBI Director <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"http:\/\/washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/kash-patel\" type=\"link\" id=\"washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/kash-patel\">Kash Patel<\/a> is defending his trip to the <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"http:\/\/washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/olympics\" type=\"link\" id=\"washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/olympics\">Winter Olympics<\/a> this weekend after he was seen partying with the U.S. men&rsquo;s hockey team following their win over Canada on Sunday.<\/p>\n<p>Patel flew to Milan for the last few days of the Olympics on Thursday, <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.ms.now\/news\/kash-patel-headed-to-milan-for-the-olympics-on-the-fbi-jet\" type=\"link\" id=\"https:\/\/www.ms.now\/news\/kash-patel-headed-to-milan-for-the-olympics-on-the-fbi-jet\">reportedly<\/a> taking the bureau&rsquo;s jet for the trip. A top FBI official <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/_WilliamsonBen\/status\/2024605212858630465\" type=\"link\" id=\"https:\/\/x.com\/_WilliamsonBen\/status\/2024605212858630465\">insisted<\/a> at the time that the excursion was &ldquo;not a personal trip&rdquo; and included official business, such as meetings with Italian police officials and U.S. Ambassador to Italy Tilman Fertitta.<\/p>\n<div class=\"recommended-stories\">\n<h2>Recommended Stories<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/justice\/4466268\/lawyer-chosen-federal-prosecutor-virginia-fired\/\">Lawyer chosen as <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/biden-muscles-out-chicago-prosecutor-hot-on-the-heels-of-powerful-dems\/\" title=\"Biden Muscles Out Chicago Prosecutor Hot on the Heels of Powerful Dems\">top federal prosecutor<\/a> for Virginia is fired just hours later<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/justice\/4465085\/why-fbi-never-questioned-les-wexner-jeffrey-epstein\/\">Why the FBI never questioned Epstein benefactor Les Wexner<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/justice\/4465008\/everybody-scrambling-distance-jeffrey-epstein-hugo-gurdon\/\">Everybody is &#8216;scrambling&#8217; to distance themselves from Epstein: Hugo Gurdon<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"article-paywall\">\n<p>While the bureau maintains those were the main purposes of the trip, it also coincided with the <a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/3YuVZYV\" >final hockey games<\/a> of the Olympics, including Team USA&rsquo;s gold medal match, which Patel, an avid hockey fan, attended.<\/p>\n<p>He was seen in a box taking in the game between the U.S. and Canada, which the U.S. <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/sports\/4466849\/us-canada-overtime-hockey-gold-medal\/\" type=\"link\" id=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/sports\/4466849\/us-canada-overtime-hockey-gold-medal\/\">won<\/a> 2-1 in overtime, securing their first gold medal since 1980. Patel would go on to <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/Kash_Patel\/status\/2025663993205936176\" type=\"link\" id=\"https:\/\/x.com\/Kash_Patel\/status\/2025663993205936176\">post<\/a> pictures of him with the team members in the locker room after the game, applauding their win.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;Unity, Sacrifice, Attitude- what it takes to be the best in the world. These men live and breathe it. Now Team USA are gold medal champions, legends standing on the shoulders of giants. Thank you for representing the greatest country on earth, in the greatest game ever created,&rdquo; he said in the X post.<\/p>\n<p>But hours later, Patel found himself in the hot seat. Footage <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/williamturton\/status\/2025716894636929264?s=46&amp;t=WCjN9b0p46x4JtDWW5vQBw\" type=\"link\" id=\"https:\/\/x.com\/williamturton\/status\/2025716894636929264?s=46&amp;t=WCjN9b0p46x4JtDWW5vQBw\">circulating<\/a> on X showed him raucously celebrating with the team, including chugging a beer and splashing its contents around the locker room. One of the team members also put a gold medal around his neck as he jumped in the air and sang along to &ldquo;Courtesy Of The Red, White And Blue (The Angry American)&rdquo; by Toby Keith.<\/p>\n<p>The clip led to Patel defending his actions in a <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/Kash_Patel\/status\/2025736412125855918\">statement<\/a> to X on Sunday night.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;For the very concerned media &ndash; yes, I love America and was extremely humbled when my friends, the newly minted Gold Medal winners on Team USA, invited me into the locker room to celebrate this historic moment with the boys- Greatest country on earth and greatest sport on earth,&rdquo; he said.<\/p>\n<p><strong><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/justice\/4461949\/fbi-patel-antifa-funding-investigation\/\" type=\"link\" id=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/justice\/4461949\/fbi-patel-antifa-funding-investigation\/\">FBI DIRECTOR PATEL SAYS INVESTIGATORS HAVE FOUND ANTIFA FUNDING SOURCES<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Sunday&rsquo;s incident is the latest of Patel&rsquo;s travel to be scrutinized. Last year alone, he was accused of using a government jet for a golfing trip in Scotland, a hunting trip in Texas, and a &ldquo;date night&rdquo; in Pennsylvania with his girlfriend. Patel has defended such travel.<\/p>\n<p>While as FBI director he is required to use a government jet for security purposes, such travel uses taxpayer funds. The cost of the Milan trip is not known, but MS NOW previously estimated it could cost as much as $75,000.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<p><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Patel defends Olympic trip after partying with USA team<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3359,"featured_media":2572455,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mo_disable_npp":"","fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/kash-patel-usa-hockey-celebration.jpg?w=696","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[538],"tags":[50410,7286,4825,51054],"class_list":["post-2572454","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-washington-examiner","tag-controversy-2","tag-hockey","tag-olympics","tag-patel-2"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/kash-patel-usa-hockey-celebration.jpg?w=696","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2572454","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3359"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2572454"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2572454\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2572458,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2572454\/revisions\/2572458"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2572455"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2572454"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2572454"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2572454"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}