FBI Director Kash Patel praised the gold-medal winning U.S. hockey team — and mocked the “very concerned media” — in a social media post acknowledging that he had, in fact, rubbed elbows with the Olympic champions after their dramatic win over Canada.
“For the very concerned media — 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,” Patel posted on X. “Greatest country on earth and greatest sport on earth.”
For the very concerned media – 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.…
— Kash Patel (@Kash_Patel) February 23, 2026
Patel shared another congratulatory post earlier on Sunday, including several photos of the team and of himself celebrating alongside them. “Unity, Sacrifice, Attitude,” he said. “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. Congrats, boys.”
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.… pic.twitter.com/hBG987pxM2
— Kash Patel (@Kash_Patel) February 22, 2026
The game Patel attended was historic in itself, as the American team won in overtime against rival Canada — marking the first time a U.S. men’s hockey team has won Olympic gold in 46 years. In fact, the Americans haven’t taken the top of the podium since the game dubbed “the Miracle on Ice” — 1980’s Lake Placid win over the heavily-favored Soviet Union.
Patel’s trip to Italy — which coincided with the final weekend of the 2026 Winter Olympic Games in Milan and included a number of visits with various Italian officials — has been the subject of much media speculation.
Some outlets criticized the FBI director over the timing of the trip, claiming that the real purpose was for him to attend the Olympic Games at taxpayer expense. Others were concerned about the number of active investigations in which the FBI was playing a role.
Xochitl Hinojosa, a Democratic strategist, complained, “There was a threat at the president’s residence at MAL, Americans in Mexico are facing major threats by cartel members, Nancy Guthrie is still missing, and our FBI Director thinks he’s a frat bro?”