Kash Patel Lashes Out at Kimmel’s Epstein Files Monologue, as MAGA Grapples With FBI Director’s Fiery Defense

By Sarah Ellison The New York Times November 23, 2025

WASHINGTON — FBI Director Kash Patel, the Trump loyalist tasked with overseeing the release of Jeffrey Epstein’s long-sealed files, erupted in a blistering interview Friday morning, accusing late-night host Jimmy Kimmel of “deep-state propaganda” for a monologue that mocked the administration’s handling of the documents — a takedown that has sent ripples through MAGA circles and prompted frantic spin from Republican leaders.

The feud ignited Thursday on “Jimmy Kimmel Live!,” where Mr. Kimmel devoted 10 minutes to Mr. Patel’s testimony before the Senate Judiciary Committee earlier this week, where the director defended delays in the files’ full disclosure as “necessary for national security.” “Kooky Kash Patel,” Mr. Kimmel quipped, replaying clips of Mr. Patel’s evasive responses to questions about redactions that obscured over 100 names, including prominent Democrats and Republicans. “He’s out here promising the ‘client list’ was on his desk in February, but now it’s November, and we’re still waiting. What’s he hiding? The Easter Bunny’s flight log?” The Los Angeles studio audience roared, rising in a standing ovation as Mr. Kimmel flashed a satirical graphic: Mr. Patel’s face superimposed on a locked filing cabinet labeled “Epstein’s Little Black Book — Do Not Disturb.”

Mr. Kimmel didn’t spare Mr. Trump, juxtaposing the president’s initial opposition to the bipartisan Epstein Files Transparency Act — which he signed under congressional pressure last week — with his boasts of “total transparency.” “Trump flipped faster than a McDonald’s spatula when the discharge petition hit,” the host said. “And Kash? He’s the cleanup crew, redacting anything that smells like accountability. It’s like they’re running the FBI as a bad episode of ‘The Apprentice’ — ‘You’re fired… from the truth.’” The segment drew 4.9 million viewers — a Thursday high — and has since racked up 31 million online views, trending under #KookyKash on X with memes splicing Mr. Patel’s testimony with Mr. Kimmel’s deadpan delivery.

Mr. Patel’s response came swiftly on “Fox & Friends Weekend,” where the FBI director, flanked by co-hosts Pete Hegseth and Lawrence Jones, went on a five-minute tirade. “Jimmy Kimmel isn’t a comedian — he’s a mouthpiece for the radical left, peddling lies to undermine President Trump and the FBI’s vital work,” Mr. Patel said, his voice rising. “We’re protecting victims and pursuing justice, not playing gotcha with Hollywood elites. If Kimmel wants the files, tell him to FOIA them — but he won’t, because the truth exposes his Soros funders.” The interview, viewed by 1.8 million, ended with Mr. Patel challenging Mr. Kimmel to a “public debate on facts vs. fiction,” a gauntlet the host dismissed in a post-show X clip: “Kash, I’d debate you, but I don’t want to bore the audience with basic reading comprehension.”

The exchange has plunged MAGA world into disarray. On X, influencers like Jack Posobiec decried it as “another deep-state ambush,” posting side-by-side clips of Mr. Kimmel’s monologue and Mr. Patel’s testimony, captioned: “Kimmel’s not joking — he’s inciting.” Steve Bannon, on his War Room podcast, called for FCC action against ABC, thundering: “This is war on the truth-tellers like Kash. Time to pull the plug on late-night lies!” Yet fractures emerged: Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene, who co-sponsored the Epstein discharge petition, tweeted support for Mr. Patel but criticized delays as “unacceptable,” drawing rebukes from Trump allies accusing her of “RINO betrayal.”

At Mar-a-Lago, where Mr. Trump was convening a Saturday strategy session, aides described a scene of “scrambling chaos.” Three people familiar with the discussions, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the president watched Mr. Kimmel’s segment on a side screen during dinner, slamming his fork down at the “Apprentice” jab. “Kash is a warrior — Kimmel’s a clown!” Mr. Trump reportedly bellowed, dictating a Truth Social post at 1:03 a.m.: “Crooked Jimmy Kimmel attacks brave FBI Director Kash Patel over Epstein HOAX! Low-rated loser spreading Fake News to hurt America. Get him OFF AIR NOW — ABC is DISGRACE! #MAGA #DrainTheSwamp.” Press secretary Karoline Leavitt amplified it, accusing Mr. Kimmel of “coordinated smears with House Dems,” referencing Rep. Robert Garcia’s recent Epstein hearing where Mr. Patel faced tough questions.

The spat underscores Mr. Patel’s precarious perch as FBI director, a role he assumed in February amid controversy over his vows to “go after” Trump’s perceived enemies, including the “deep state” he blames for the Russia investigation. Confirmed narrowly by the Senate 51-49, Mr. Patel has fired over 50 agents tied to past Trump probes and launched a parallel inquiry into Epstein’s Democratic links — efforts Mr. Kimmel lampooned as “retribution roulette.” A Quinnipiac poll released Saturday shows Mr. Trump’s approval at 38 percent, with independents citing the Epstein delays as a top concern, eroding support amid the government shutdown.

Democrats seized the moment. House Oversight Ranking Member Jamie Raskin demanded a full hearing on the redactions, tweeting: “Kimmel’s comedy cuts deeper than Kash’s excuses — release the files, or admit the cover-up.” Late-night peers piled on: Stephen Colbert staged a mock “FBI Files Feud” with Mr. Patel as the flustered contestant, while Seth Meyers quipped: “Kash erupted? That’s what happens when your truth serum meets Kimmel’s truth bomb.”

For Mr. Patel, whose confirmation hearings featured clashes with Democrats over his Nunes Memo authorship and Trump defense, the takedown risks amplifying perceptions of politicization. Allies like Representative Jim Jordan defended him on Fox News, vowing “hearings on late-night bias,” but even they acknowledged the peril: “He’s exposing the hoax — Kimmel’s just noise.”

Mr. Kimmel, undeterred, addressed the backlash in a Saturday X video: “If calling out delays in victim justice is a crime, guilty as charged. Kash, debate invite stands — bring the files.” ABC executives, navigating FCC scrutiny from Trump appointee Brendan Carr, issued no comment, but sources say they’re bracing for affiliate pressure akin to Mr. Kimmel’s September suspension.

In a polarized media landscape, Mr. Kimmel’s strike wasn’t mere entertainment — it was a catalyst, fracturing MAGA unity and reigniting Epstein demands. As clips flood feeds and Washington scrambles, one insider summed it up: “Kash’s eruption? That’s the sound of the dam cracking.” With the 30-day release clock ticking, this late-night firestorm may be the spark that finally floods the truth.