MS NOW’s justice and intelligence reporter, Ken Dilanian, might want to check up on the “intelligence” part of his job title after a Wednesday scoop about FBI Director Kash Patel blew up in his face. Twice, Dilanian went on the air with his colleagues to report that Patel had landed in Russia when in actuality he was in Virginia doing an event at Liberty University.
During State of Play, host Peter Alexander began by reporting, “We do have some breaking news we want to get to right now here on MS NOW. This is about the FBI Director, Kash Patel. MS NOW has learned that Patel has landed in Russia for a meeting scheduled to take place there. That's according to two people familiar with the matter.”
I have had many strange experiences in life, but in tier 1 had to be seeing a clip of MS Now reporting breaking news that Kash Patel has “just landed in Russia” - right as I’m receiving pics of Kash Patel doing a law enforcement appreciation event today in Lynchburg, Virginia https://t.co/U0Cn3LfL6R
— Ben Williamson (@_WilliamsonBen) October 14, 2026
Later, during On the Line, host Alicia Menendez had a similar opening, “Breaking news: FBI Director Kash Patel is now in Russia. That's according to two people familiar with the matter. Patel touched down there for a meeting just days after The Atlantic reported current and former FBI officials familiar with the matter said there was a quiet campaign to urge senior leadership to cancel the trip. The concern over this trip to one of the nation's top adversaries is easy to understand, especially less than three weeks out from the midterms.”
She then invited Dilanian to explain more about the phantom trip, and he obliged, “Well, Alicia, it's what we don't know that's really concerning. The FBI has said nothing about this. We're told that Patel did land in Russia today, and that this is a—intended to be a two-day trip to Moscow and St. Petersburg hosted by the FSB. But again, the FBI is saying nothing about this, officially or otherwise. “
In more comedy, Dilanian later told Alicia Menendez, "Alicia, it's what we don't know that's really concerning. The FBI has said nothing about this. We're told that Patel did land in Russia today, and that this is a—intended to be a two day trip to Moscow and St. Petersburg… pic.twitter.com/z1tjh7OC8H
— Alex Christy (@alexchristy17) October 14, 2026
Perhaps the FBI is saying nothing because it isn’t real. Meanwhile, various FBI X accounts had fun with the report. Assistant Director for Public Affairs Ben Williamson posted, “I have had many strange experiences in life, but in tier 1 had to be seeing a clip of MS Now reporting breaking news that Kash Patel has “just landed in Russia” - right as I’m receiving pics of Kash Patel doing a law enforcement appreciation event today in Lynchburg, Virginia”
FBI Rapid Response also mocked MS NOW’s reporter, “MS Now’s ‘sources’ are ‘familiar’ with NOTHING!” while posting pictures of Patel at the event with Rep. John McGuire, who posted a picture of himself with Patel at the event.
Who among us hasn’t confused Liberty University and Lynchburg, Virginia, for Moscow or St. Petersburg?
Here are transcripts for the October 14 shows:
MS NOW State of Play with Peter Alexander
10/14/2026
11:44 PM ET
PETER ALEXANDER: We do have some breaking news we want to get to right now here on MS NOW. This is about the FBI Director, Kash Patel. MS NOW has learned that Patel has landed in Russia for a meeting scheduled to take place there. That's according to two people familiar with the matter.
***
MS NOW On the Line with Alicia Menendez
10/14/2026
12:29 PM ET
ALICIA MENENDEZ: Breaking news: FBI Director Kash Patel is now in Russia. That's according to two people familiar with the matter. Patel touched down there for a meeting just days after The Atlantic reported current and former FBI officials familiar with the matter said there was a quiet campaign to urge senior leadership to cancel the trip. The concern over this trip to one of the nation's top adversaries is easy to understand, especially less than three weeks out from the midterms.
Joining me now is now justice and intelligence reporter Ken Dilanian, along with Michael Feinberg, MS NOW national security and intelligence analyst and FBI former assistant special agent in charge. Ken, what more are you learning about this trip by Patel?
KEN DILANIAN: Well, Alicia, it's what we don't know that's really concerning. The FBI has said nothing about this. We're told that Patel did land in Russia today, and that this is a—intended to be a two-day trip to Moscow and St. Petersburg hosted by the FSB. But again, the FBI is saying nothing about this, officially or otherwise.
