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On February 22, 2026, FBI Director Kash Patel was captured on video celebrating with the U.S. men’s Olympic hockey team in Milan after their dramatic gold-medal win over Canada, joining the players in the locker-room jubilation that followed the historic victory. The images show Patel, wearing a USA shirt, raising a beer and even having a medal draped around his neck — a plain moment of American pride that the coastal media immediately twisted into scandal. Patriots saw a public servant connecting with American heroes; the usual suspects saw an opportunity to manufacture outrage.
The footage shows a raucous, joyful scene — players singing, laughing, and spraying beer — and Patel was part of that celebration like any avid hockey fan would be after witnessing greatness. Yet left-leaning pundits and late-night talkers reflexively turned what should have been a unifying moment into a political hit piece, nitpicking the obvious: men being men and Americans celebrating. This performative sanctimony about decorum reveals more about the critics than it does about Kash Patel’s character.
Critics pointed to the timing — Patel was in Italy while a security incident unfolded back at Mar-a-Lago and other serious matters demanded attention — and demanded judgment. The facts, however, show Patel was on an official trip involving meetings on Olympic security with Italian counterparts and U.S. officials, and the FBI stated any personal expenses would be reimbursed; that context matters but of course the narrative-hungry media downplays it. If liberals want agency and competence from leaders, they should practice it themselves instead of grandstanding every time a conservative shows humanity.
The Washington establishment predictably raised the familiar refrain about misuse of resources, ignoring the reality that senior officials travel for security duties and that the bureau has long-explained travel and reimbursement rules for such trips. Patel publicly defended his presence, saying he was honored to be invited by friends on Team USA and proud to celebrate American greatness — a sentiment most normal citizens would find wholesome, not damning. The real scandal is the double standard: when a conservative shows patriotism, it’s “unprofessional,” and when the left does it, it’s celebrated as authentic.
Democratic politicians predictably weaponized the moment, with even members of Congress questioning Patel’s love of country for daring to celebrate Team USA rather than wearing a permanent look of bureaucratic mourning. Those cheap shots are not only unpatriotic but absurd — attacking a man for joining Americans in celebration of our flag and our athletes exposes a cynicism that voters are finally refusing to accept. Americans deserve leaders who stand with our champions, not political operatives who weaponize every smile.
At the end of the day, this episode should remind sane citizens of two things: first, that real Americans celebrate American greatness wherever it happens; and second, that the media and opposition will always try to turn pride into a scandal when it doesn’t fit their narrative. Kash Patel’s choice to cheer on Team USA alongside the players was patriotic, not political theater, and conservatives should call out the manufactured outrage for exactly what it is — an attempt to punish someone for loving this country out loud. Stand with our athletes, stand with those who defend liberty, and stop letting the outrage industry dictate who can enjoy a beer after a hard-fought victory.
