Kash Patel dined at exclusive NYC restaurant while authorities hunted for Charlie Kirk’s killer: Report

WASHINGTON, DC: FBI Director Kash Patel faced mounting backlash online after he was spotted dining at one of New York City’s most exclusive restaurants on Wednesday night, September 10 - the same night authorities launched a nationwide manhunt for Charlie Kirk’s shooter.

Earlier that day, Kirk, the CEO of Turning Point USA, was fatally shot while speaking to a crowd of 3,000 during the "American Comeback Tour" at Utah Valley campus while answering audience questions about gun violence.

Kash Patel dined at exclusive NYC restaurant hours after Charlie Kirk’s death, report says

According to sources cited by NBC News, Kash Patel dined at the exclusive New York restaurant Rao’s just hours after the conservative activist was fatally shot. Two individuals familiar with Patel’s movements confirmed that he was at Rao’s following the high-profile assassination.

The timeline raised eyebrows as at 6:21 pm ET, Patel posted on X that the “subject” in Kirk’s murder was already “in custody.”

Rao’s, a notoriously hard-to-book Italian restaurant, begins seating guests at 7 pm.

Just under two hours later, at 7:59 pm, Patel posted another update stating that the suspect had been released after law enforcement completed an interrogation.

Former FBI officials slam Kash Patel after he was spotted dining in NYC

The FBI director’s decision to dine out during a major national investigation sparked backlash, especially from former FBI officials.

One former law enforcement leader accused Patel of failing to rise to the occasion, calling Kirk’s murder a “horrific event” that exposed the director’s “public inability to meet the moment as a leader.”

When asked whether Patel posted investigative updates from the restaurant and to address the growing criticism, the FBI responded with a statement.

“We worked with our law enforcement partners in Utah to bring to justice the individual allegedly responsible for the horrific murder of Charlie Kirk,” the agency said. “We will continue to be transparent with the American people with real time updates as we are able.”

Current and former FBI officials told The Washington Post that Kirk’s assassination investigation has exposed what they see as Director Kash Patel’s inexperience and unfamiliarity with the agency’s inner workings.

They accused Patel of mishandling key aspects of the case and claimed morale inside the bureau has plummeted, describing him as “crumbling under pressure.”

White House rejects claims about Kash Patel

However, the White House pushed back forcefully. Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt defended Patel, calling the criticism “despicable.” She emphasized that Patel has full backing, stating, “Everyone is supporting him and trying to be as helpful as possible during this effort, including the president of the United States.”

Authorities took 22-year-old Tyler Robinson into custody late Thursday night after a family member turned him in, confirming his role in the killing of the outspoken right-wing activist.

The FBI’s handling of the Kirk investigation marks yet another flashpoint in a growing list of controversies surrounding Patel, who was appointed FBI director under President Trump.

Internet outraged after reports of Kash Patel dining in NYC swirl online

After reports of Kash Patel dining at a high-end NYC restaurant surfaced online, social media users swiftly criticized him and questioned his handling of the Charlie Kirk investigation.

One user wrote, "Very strange how in the wake of the tragedy Kash Patel is dining at exclusive restaurants and Trump only wants to talk about the White House ball room."

An X user wrote, "And now they're saying Kash was at a Rao's restaurant drinking and eating when he was tweeting about looking for the shooter. None of them give a s**t. They're all scrambling to see how they can monetize this."

The host of 'QuestShow' explained, "Who is surprised that Kash Patel was dining out at the swanky Rao's restaurant while tweeting about the Kirk murder investigation."

A user dubbed, "Kash Patel was dining at a high-end restaurant in New York on Wednesday when he was sending those tweets about the shooter being in custody and then released. This administration is a joke."

An internet user said, "Of course Kash Patel was having a bougie dinner at NYC’s Rao’s restaurant and not at the FBI office when he wrongly tweeted about a person being in custody the night of Kirk’s shooting."

A Democrat questioned, "Kash Patel was at a fancy restaurant in NYC the night that he falsely tweeted Charlie Kirk’s shooter had been caught. While the brave men and women of the FBI were out in Utah doing hard work, he was fine dining in NYC. Are you kidding me?"

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