Carol Leonnig

THE OFFENSE

MSNBC’s Carol Leonnig and Ken Dilanian published a poorly sourced article that claimed FBI Director Kash Patel had utilized an FBI security detail for personal use.

THE TRUTH

Ken Dilanian and Carol Leonnig published these claims even though their sources were anonymous and unreliable. When asked by an FBI spokesperson for basic information related to the alleged incident – such as the date or the name of the friend supposedly involved – the reporters admitted they ‘d[id] not have that info.’ The reporters also failed to mention that Alexis Wilkens does not drink. It is clear that MSNBC was not interested in the truth; they preferred to publish a baseless fantasy.

KEY POINTS

• MSNBC published a lie based upon anonymous sourcing to detract from the public’s trust of the FBI Director.

SOURCES

• MSNBC: Kash Patel ordered FBI detail to give girlfriend’s pal a lift home: sources
• FBI’s Assistant Director for Public Affairs Ben Williamson’s Post
• FBI’s Assistant Director for Publica Affairs Ben Williamson’s Post
• Alexis Wilkins’ Post