Key Takeaway: Newly released FBI messages show Director Kash Patel asked public affairs staff in February to counter an X post that used a derogatory slur about him. Ben Williamson, the bureau's assistant director for public affairs, advised against responding, saying the post appeared limited and likely bot-amplified. The exchange came as Patel faced scrutiny over missing Epstein-related records and follows broader controversies surrounding his leadership, travel and public statements.
FBI Director Kash Patel Asked Staff To Counter X Post That Used Derogatory Slur, Internal Messages Show
Internal messages released as part of Epstein files disclosure show director wanted bureau to counter critics with 'record year results' - Julia Demaree Nikhinson/AP Photo
Internal FBI messages released as part of a transparency initiative show Director Kash Patel privately asked public affairs officials in February to push back against an X post that used a derogatory slur about him.
The X account — named "Retard Finder" (username: ifindretards) — posted a photo of Mr. Patel alongside the caption: "His retard rating just went to all time highs. Congratulations Kash." Mr. Patel forwarded the link to Ben Williamson, the FBI's assistant director for public affairs, and asked the bureau's official account to publish rebuttals.
Patel's instruction to Williamson was explicit:
"What I asked you and your team to do is find them, and post our record year results back at them all, continuously."
Williamson cautioned against a public response, warning it "would look bad on you," and advised restraint. He also told Patel the post appeared limited in reach — about 400 responses — and likely amplified by a bot account promoting conspiracy theories about Jeffrey Epstein.
Despite Williamson's assessment, Patel pressed his concern about the "number of views" and argued the bureau should counter the narrative so "people see it and need to be seeing our stats." The exchange occurred while Patel was under scrutiny over missing records in the Epstein files.
Context And Wider Controversies
The messages were released amid ongoing attention to how the FBI handled documents related to the late financier Jeffrey Epstein. At the time of the X post, Patel had defended document releases, saying the Trump administration had published as many files as it "legally and lawfully could," even though some estimates suggested roughly 2.5 million to 3 million records remained unpublished.
Since becoming FBI director in February 2025, Patel has faced sustained criticism on several fronts. Critics say he appears unusually focused on his personal image and has made public misstatements during major probes, including prematurely saying a suspect was in custody in the aftermath of Charlie Kirk's murder and later announcing a person of interest had been detained in the Brown University shooting — a suspect who was released hours later.
In November 2025 reports said Patel, 46, had used taxpayer-funded government jets to attend performances by his girlfriend, 27-year-old country singer Alexis Wilkins, prompting further controversy — particularly given his earlier public criticism of former director Christopher Wray for similar travel.
Patel has also filed lawsuits against media organisations. In April he sued The Atlantic for $250 million (£185 million), disputing reporting that alleged "erratic" behaviour and heavy drinking among FBI staff; that case is pending in the US District Court for the District of Columbia.
President Donald Trump has repeatedly defended Patel, saying he is "very proud of the FBI" under the director's leadership. Patel has pledged to refocus the bureau on core law-enforcement priorities, saying its mission should be "tackling murderers, gangs, drugs and predators" and restoring public trust.
The FBI declined to comment on the newly released internal messages.
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