Patel Sues The Atlantic for $250 Million Over Defamation Claims

FBI Director Kash Patel filed a $250 million defamation lawsuit against The Atlantic, alleging the article published false, damaging claims about his conduct, including excessive drinking and unexplained absences. The Atlantic defended its reporting, saying it relied on interviews with more than two dozen sources and comments from White House and FBI; Patel argues the magazine ignored responses and a pre-publication letter. U.S. defamation law requires public officials to prove actual malice to win.