Bulwark Takes Did Taxpayers Just Fund Kash Patel’s Olympic Getaway?
Feb 23, 2026
A lively dive into whether taxpayers might have funded Kash Patel’s Milan trip and the controversy over an FBI jet. Reaction to viral locker-room footage of Patel celebrating with a hockey team. Coverage of Tucker Carlson’s awkward Israel sit-down and the fallout from false claims. A chaotic look at James Fishback’s troubled Florida bid and Byron Donalds’ public attacks.
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FBI Jet Justification Masked A Hockey Trip
- Kash Patel used official FBI travel justification to attend the Milan Olympics while clearly prioritizing a hockey game.
- Hosts argue Patel scheduled official meetings around the trip to justify a costly government flight, not the reverse.
Taxpayers Likely Paid Far More Than Patel Reimbursed
- Reported taxpayer cost for Patel's government plane trip to Milan ranged far above commercial fares, with outlets citing figures like $75,000 per flight.
- Hosts contrast Patel's reimbursement of commercial fare with likely much higher operational costs borne by taxpayers.
Kash Patel Chugs Beer In Locker Room With Players
- Kash Patel was filmed in the Olympic hockey locker room chugging beers and celebrating with the U.S. team after a win.
- The viral video shows Patel holding a phone with 'DT' (Donald Trump) on it, drinking while on call and continuing to pop and chug beers.