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FBI Director Patel Appeals Defamation Suit Dismissal

FBI Director Kash Patel filed an appeal Thursday challenging the dismissal of his defamation lawsuit against former FBI official Frank Figliuzzi. Patel sued in Houston federal court after Figliuzzi made comments during a May 2, 2025 television interview on MSNBC's "Morning Joe." The comments suggested Patel spent more time at nightclubs than at FBI headquarters in Washington. A federal judge dismissed the suit April 21, ruling Figliuzzi's statement constituted rhetorical hyperbole protected from defamation claims. The judge determined Patel failed to state a valid claim. The 5th Circuit Court of Appeals will now hear Patel's appeal to overturn the dismissal. The filing comes one day after Patel initiated a separate $250 million defamation action against The Atlantic magazine over an article alleging alcohol abuse.