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Kash Patel’s close ties to prominent conspiracy theorists called out at confirmation hearing

Patel attempted to distance himself from numerous conspiratorial figures.

Photo of Mikael Thalen

Mikael Thalen

2 panel image of the confirmation hearing for Kash Patel. On the left is Mr. Patel and on the right are senators holding a poster of Mr. Patel next to Laura Loomer.

Kash Patel’s close ties to conspiracy theorists came under intense scrutiny today during his confirmation hearing to be President Donald Trump’s FBI Director.

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While being questioned by the Senate Judiciary Committee. Patel was asked by Sen. Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) to explain his association with far-right figures, including Laura Loomer, as a giant image of the Trump-aligned conspiracy theorist was held up in the background.

“Mr. Patel, you’ve frequently associated with and sometimes praised extremist figures with well-documented histories of racism, antisemitism, conspiracies, and the like,” Durbin said. “In September 2023, you appeared with Laura Loomer at an event promoting your book. You shared a photo of yourself and Loomer in which you held her book and she held yours.”

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Durbin continued by listing numerous instances in which Loomer shared conspiratorial views about topics such as the 9/11 terror attacks, before asking Patel to expound on the pair’s relationship.

In an attempt to distance himself from Loomer, Patel responded by insinuating that he was largely unaware of the conspiracy theorist.

“Senator, as you can see, I took a photograph with an individual who showed up at a book event,” Patel said. “I don’t believe I’m guilty by association.”

Patel went on to mention his previous role under Trump’s first administration as “the first minority to serve as deputy director of national intelligence” in an attempt to dismiss any suggestion that he could hold racial biases.

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The moment quickly caught the attention of Loomer, who called for Patel to be confirmed after unleashing a long-winded diatribe against Durbin.

“This is why I get attacked and I am PROUD to fight for President Trump and his nominees,” Loomer wrote on X. “I will take the arrows if it means they all get confirmed.”

But it wasn’t just Loomer whose ties to Patel were mentioned during the hearing.

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Durbin also questioned Trump’s nominee over his history with antisemitic conspiracy theorist Stew Peters, known best for producing a widely debunked anti-vaccine documentary.

Patel denied being aware of Peters “off the top” of his head but was reminded that he had appeared on Peters’ podcast at least eight times.

In response, Patel suggested that he had appeared on Peters’ show as part of an effort to debunk conspiracy theories and promote “the truth.”

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Despite attempts to distance himself from conspiratorial figures, Patel himself has espoused and defended fringe claims over the years, including those related to QAnon.

Prior to the hearing, Patel published an op-ed in the Wall Street Journal vowing to “remain focused on the FBI’s core mission and not involve the bureau in prosecutorial decisions” if confirmed.


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