'Familiar With NOTHING': FBI Mocks MS NOW After Network Corrects Kash Patel Russia Report

The FBI has mocked MS NOW after the US television network incorrectly reported that FBI Director Kash Patel had landed in Russia. The network later issued an on-air correction after the bureau said Patel was in Virginia.

MS NOW anchor Peter Alexander announced on Wednesday, 14 October 2026, that Patel had arrived in Russia for a meeting, citing two unnamed sources familiar with the matter. Patel was in Lynchburg, Virginia, attending a Law Enforcement Leadership and Student Roundtable at Liberty University with local law enforcement officials, prosecutors and students.

The FBI's Rapid Response account posted footage of Patel at the event alongside the network's report, declaring that MS NOW's sources were 'familiar' with 'NOTHING.' Patel also responded on X with the words 'Facts over clickbait.' MS NOW later withdrew its claim that Patel had arrived in Russia, saying the timing of any potential visit remained unclear.

FBI Mocks Network's Sources

The FBI's Rapid Response account on X shared a comparison of MS NOW's broadcast and footage from Liberty University. Its post criticised the network's sources, writing: 'MS Now's "sources" are "familiar" with NOTHING!'

Patel responded with 'Facts over clickbait.' Reuters also reported that footage from an ABC News affiliate in Virginia showed Patel at the Lynchburg event, corroborating the account of his whereabouts. Liberty University separately confirmed his attendance.

During the original broadcast, Dilanian said the network had sought comment from the FBI but had not received a response. He discussed concerns surrounding the reported visit, including the possibility that Patel would be hosted by Russia's Federal Security Service, or FSB. Those concerns related to the proposed trip and did not establish that Patel had arrived in the country.

MS NOW Issues On-Air Correction

Dilanian returned later on Wednesday to correct the report. He said two sources had told the network that Patel had landed in Russia for a planned trip that had been reported previously. He then acknowledged that the claim about Patel's arrival was inaccurate.

'We've since learned that Patel did not, in fact, land in Russia today and remains in the US,' Dilanian told viewers. He said the timing of any potential future trip remained unclear and added that the network regretted the error.

According to Fox News, MS NOW referred the publication to Dilanian's on-air correction when asked for comment. The correction withdrew the claim that Patel had already arrived in Russia. It did not establish whether a future visit would take place.

Earlier Reports Described a Planned Visit

The report followed earlier coverage of a possible trip. Reuters reported in July, citing Politico, that Patel was reportedly planning to visit Russia in mid-October. The proposed itinerary included Moscow and St Petersburg. Those reports concerned an expected visit, not confirmation that Patel had arrived on 14 October.

Liberty University said Patel attended its Law Enforcement Leadership and Student Roundtable on Wednesday. He joined local law enforcement agencies, commonwealth attorneys and US Representative John McGuire for a discussion about how federal, state and local agencies could work together to combat crime.

MS NOW's correction settled the immediate question of whether Patel had arrived in Russia that day. The timing of any potential future visit, however, remained unclear.