On 14 October, the US Federal Bureau of Investigation denied a report by the MS NOW television channel regarding an alleged secret visit to Russia by Director Kesh Patel. At the very moment the programme was discussing his talks in Moscow, Patel was attending a public event at Liberty University in Lynchburg, Virginia. This is confirmed by WSET-TV’s broadcast, whilst Reuters published a retraction citing the FBI.
Briefly about the main points
- MS NOW reported on the FBI director’s alleged talks in Russia.
- The FBI has stated that Kash Patel was attending an event in Virginia.
- WSET-TV broadcast a round-table discussion featuring Patel live.
- Ken Delaney admitted the error about two hours later.
- Information about possible plans for a visit does not confirm that it will take place.
The MS NOW report cited unnamed sources
MS NOW, citing two unnamed sources, reported that Patel arrived in Russia for negotiations. A journalist Ken Delaney He spoke of a two-day trip which was reportedly to include meetings in Moscow and St Petersburg; according to this account, the American official might have been received by the Russian Federal Security Service.
The news was quickly picked up by international and Ukrainian media, although at that point it had not been confirmed by either the FBI or the White House. Earlier, American publications had reported on Patel’s possible plans to travel to Russia in mid-October, but such reports did not prove that the visit had actually taken place.
Live coverage from Lynchburg and a statement from the department
The FBI posted a video on X in which it juxtaposed a report on Patel’s alleged arrival in Russia with footage of him taking part in an event about the work of law enforcement agencies. The FBI Director responded to the circulating information with the phrase: «Facts are more important than clickbait».
The local television channel WSET-TV, affiliated with ABC, broadcast a round-table discussion featuring Patel, a Republican Member of Congress John McGuire, representatives of local law enforcement agencies and law students from Liberty University.
A screenshot from Flightradar24 showing the route of a Gulfstream G550, registered as N708JH, from a military airfield has also been shared online Andrews in Maryland to Lynchburg. The flight lasted around 30 minutes and is consistent with the official’s stay in Virginia, but the image does not reveal who was amongst the passengers on the plane.
The journalist admitted his mistake on air
Following the FBI’s statement, Delaney returned to the air approximately two hours later and announced that the reports of Patel’s arrival in Russia had not been confirmed. According to Mediaite, he clarified that the FBI director had remained in the United States and expressed regret over the inaccuracy.
MS NOW’s correction concerned the report that Patel had actually arrived in Russia. Earlier reports about possible preparations for the trip remain a separate matter and do not constitute proof that it took place.
