A celebratory locker-room video featuring Kash Patel at the 2026 Winter Olympics has moved from sports highlight to political flashpoint.
The footage, widely circulated on X and first amplified by user accounts before being picked up by national outlets, shows Patel inside the U.S. men’s hockey team locker room following its gold medal win in Milan. In the clip, Patel is holding a beer while speaking on speakerphone with President Donald Trump. At one point, Patel shouts, “Fuck yeah,” and later adds, “I’m fuckin’ on it,” drawing cheers from players.
During the call, Trump praised the athletes and discussed a potential White House visit. According to footage cited by multiple outlets, he said he would invite the women’s hockey team as well, adding he would do so “reluctantly” — a remark that prompted laughter in the room. The comment has since circulated widely on social media, where critics framed it as dismissive. The White House has not issued a formal clarification regarding that portion of the call.
Patel’s trip to Milan unfolded alongside several high-profile security developments back in the United States. On Sunday, law enforcement officers shot and killed an armed man outside Mar-a-Lago, President Donald Trump’s Florida residence, according to the United States Secret Service. The agency said the incident would involve an FBI investigation. Patel acknowledged the breach on X prior to the locker-room celebration, writing that the bureau was “dedicating all necessary resources” to the inquiry.
The timing drew additional attention as other international security matters were unfolding. Trump has been publicly weighing potential strikes on Iran, a scenario with direct national security implications. In Mexico, cartel leader “El Mencho” was killed in a military raid that reportedly relied in part on U.S. intelligence, prompting the United States Department of State to issue a “shelter in place” alert for American citizens in affected regions. Meanwhile, FBI personnel were engaged in a search connected to Nancy Guthrie, the missing mother of Savannah Guthrie of Today, as Patel appeared in a private box at the Milano Santagiulia Ice Hockey Arena during the U.S.–Canada gold medal matchup.
In a statement cited by several outlets, Patel defended his attendance, framing it as support for American athletes on an international stage. “These young men represented our country with pride,” he said, according to broadcast coverage.
No indication has been given that the trip violated federal travel rules, though ethics experts interviewed by media organizations noted that appearances blending official duties and celebratory events often draw scrutiny.
Reaction on X has been divided. Some users described the moment as a lighthearted celebration following a major Olympic victory. Others criticized the optics of the FBI director drinking beer and using profanity while on speaker with the president. One viral post characterized the scene as “declining standards,” while another wrote that the video “doesn’t exactly scream institutional gravitas.”
Trump, who has frequently stated publicly that he does not drink alcohol, appeared upbeat during the call. “You guys are incredible,” he told the team in the clip aired by NBC affiliates.
As of publication, neither the FBI nor the White House has announced a review or inquiry related to the event. The episode continues to circulate primarily through broadcast segments and social media clips, with questions centered less on the gold medal — and more on the tone, travel, and optics surrounding the celebration.