Trump Jr admits being ‘pretty conspiratorial’ after Kash Patel warns FBI resources are wasted
WASHINGTON, DC: Donald Trump Jr. admitted to a history of being "pretty conspiratorial" during a conversation with FBI Director Kash Patel about the disruptive nature of conspiracy theories.
Patel explained that while the bureau respects free speech, managing loud and unfounded conspiracies diverts resources from core investigative missions.
Discussion of Kash Patel and Donald Trump Jr on 'Triggered' podcast
On Donald Jr.'s podcast, ‘Triggered,’ on Thursday, December 4, FBI Director Kash Patel discussed balancing respect for free speech across media with managing the resulting "undue noise" from conspiracy theories.
Patel stated, "We are not going to trample on people’s freedom of speech rights in the digital media, in the TV media, or in online spaces."
He added, however, that when those theories "create a lot of undue noise, and undue conspiracies," it forces the FBI to "come off mission and respond to those conspiracy theories 'cause they get so loud."
This diversion of resources is problematic, as he noted, "We only have so many people and so many hours of the day. And I’d rather put them all on Charlie Kirk’s case and all on these cases that we’re taking about rather than diffusing some of these conspiracies. But that’s the job, and we’re balancing as best as we can.”
Trump Jr. responded by addressing his own history, stating, "I'm sort of a free speech absolutist on that, and frankly, I've been—you know, pretty conspiratorial over the last, let's call it decade, and rightfully so."
Donald Trump Jr's history of spreading falsehoods
According to published reports, Donald Trump Jr. has a record of spreading misinformation. He promoted false COVID-19 "cures," including hydroxychloroquine and ivermectin, and falsely stated in 2020 that COVID deaths were "almost nothing."
Additionally, Trump Jr. has consistently pushed the narrative that the 2016 Russia investigation was a Democratic "hoax," and continues to support his father’s claim that the 2020 election was "stolen."
President Donald Trump appeared with his son Donald Trump Jr (@donaldjtrumpjr/Instagram)Kash Patel's own promotion of conspiracy claims
Before his appointment as FBI Director in Donald Trump’s second term, Kash Patel also promoted conspiracy theories, particularly concerning the "deep state."
He authored a series of children’s books, titled The Plot Against The King, which allegorically discussed the "stolen" election. Patel has also attempted to "reframe" the January 6, 2021, Capitol riots.
An NBC News review confirmed that Patel shared "unfounded claims" across various podcasts, involving "supposed conspiracies aimed at undermining Trump perpetrated by government officials, the FBI, social media platforms, the media, and others."
