The White House forcefully denied reports Tuesday that President Donald Trump is considering firing FBI Director Kash Patel, calling the story “completely made up.”
In response to the “fake news” the press secretary’s office released a recent photo of the two men together in the Oval Office.
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt rejected an MS NOW report claiming Trump was weighing Patel’s removal.
“This story is completely made up,” Leavitt posted on X. “In fact, when this Fake News published, I was in the Oval Office, where President Trump was meeting with his law enforcement team, including FBI Director Kash Patel.”
“I read the headline to the President and he laughed. He said: ‘What? That’s totally false. Come on Kash, let’s take a picture to show them you’re doing a great job!'” Leavitt wrote, posting a photo of the two.
Take a look —
This story is completely made up.
In fact, when this Fake News published, I was in the Oval Office, where President Trump was meeting with his law enforcement team, including FBI Director Kash Patel.
I read the headline to the President and he laughed. He said: “What? That’s… https://t.co/qbsy0nW2Bg pic.twitter.com/aNL5Qw9MA8
— Karoline Leavitt (@PressSec) November 25, 2025
The MS NOW report, published late Tuesday, cited three unnamed sources claiming Trump and his top aides had “grown increasingly frustrated by the unflattering headlines Patel has recently generated.”
“Patel has come under scrutiny for his stewardship of bureau resources, including his girlfriend’s security detail and use of a government jet, and for his squabbles with other Trump loyalists,” MS NOW claimed.
But in an interview last week with Fox News Channel’s Brian Kilmeade, Trump recently backed Patel.
“I do have confidence in Kash, a lot of confidence, and the DOJ,” the president said.