A Nevada federal judge dismissed Kash Patel's $10 million defamation lawsuit against blogger Jim Stewartson, finding the court lacked jurisdiction and vacating a prior $250,000 default judgment. The opinion reproduces an inflammatory online insult — including the phrase "googly-eyed Kremlin *****" — in a footnote. Stewartson, a California resident, had argued his posts were not aimed at Nevada residents. Patel is separately pursuing a $250 million defamation suit against The Atlantic over an article alleging excessive drinking and erratic behavior.
Judge Dismisses Kash Patel Defamation Suit; Controversial 'Googly-Eyed' Insult Stays In Record
FBI Director Kash Patel, here on June 11, had his defamation lawsuit against a blogger dismissed by a federal judge in Nevada on Tuesday. Bloomberg via Getty Images
A federal judge in Nevada on Tuesday dismissed a $10 million defamation lawsuit filed by Kash Patel, ruling that the court lacked jurisdiction and vacating an earlier default judgment in Patel's favor. The opinion also preserved an offensive online insult — rendered in the judge's footnote — as part of the public court record.
Court Dismisses Case For Lack Of Jurisdiction
In an order granting defendant Jim Stewartson's motion to dismiss, Chief U.S. District Judge Andrew P. Gordon found the court did not have the authority to hear Patel's original complaint. That decision voided a $250,000 default judgment that had been entered after Stewartson failed to answer the initial filing.
Background: Tweets, Default Judgment And Appeal
Patel, who has described himself as an anti-disinformation activist and has held high-profile federal roles, sued Stewartson in June 2023. The complaint accused the blogger and podcaster of publishing tweets that called Patel a "blatantly incompetent chud," alleged he had "attempted to overthrow the government," and accused him of being "guilty of sedition" in connection with the Jan. 6, 2021, Capitol attack.
Stewartson, a California resident, did not initially respond to the suit, which led to the default judgment in August 2025. He later moved to set aside and dismiss the case, arguing that he had no meaningful contacts with Nevada and that his posts were not targeted at Nevada residents — facts that, he said, deprived the Nevada court of personal jurisdiction.
The Insult That Made The Record
Judge Gordon's written order reproduces language from Stewartson's online posts, including an inflammatory phrase that described Patel as a "googly-eyed Kremlin *****." That wording appears in a footnote to the court's opinion.
From Stewartson's public post on X: "PSA: Now that my case is settled, you are free to refer to @FBIDirectorKash as a 'chud,' a 'googly-eyed Kremlin *****,' and a 'traitor' without fear of legal repercussions!"
Related Litigation
The Nevada ruling comes while Patel is separately pursuing a much larger, $250 million defamation suit against The Atlantic. That suit challenges an April article that alleged Patel engaged in "excessive drinking" and displayed erratic behavior. The magazine has called the lawsuit meritless and has filed a motion to dismiss, contending the complaint threatens First Amendment protections for the press.
What Happens Next: With the Nevada court dismissing the case for lack of jurisdiction, Patel may decide whether to refile in a jurisdiction he believes is proper or to pursue other legal options. The Atlantic litigation will proceed on its own track as the parties brief motions in that case.
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