'What a Coward': Kash Patel's Response to the White House Correspondents' Dinner Shooting Has Social Media Asking Hard Questions

FBI Director Kash Patel is facing criticism on social media for his behavior following the shooting at the White House Correspondents' Dinner on Saturday, April 25. A 31-year-old gunman identified as Cole Thomas Allen opened fire near the Washington Hilton Hotel, where President Donald Trump and other officials were attending the dinner.

Patel was spotted looking disoriented in viral clips from the incident, prompting social media users to question his leadership — with some calling his behavior "crazy"

In one of the leaked videos, the FBI Director could be seen standing outside the Washington Hilton Hotel, where he was seen looking confused and making some phone calls.

Many social media users questioned why Patel appeared calm and inactive despite being the nation's top law enforcement official. Sharing a video of him from outside the White House correspondents’ dinner venue, one of the X users wrote, “Kash Patel standing around outside after the shooting like a random attendee and not the literal FBI Director is actually crazy.”

Soon, other social media users started reacting to the video questioning Kash Patel’s leadership and competency. One of the users on X stated, “There is a shooting and... The head of the FBI is just hanging out?"

Another social media user commented, “When you know it's another fake assassination attempt because you organised it, you might as well relax.”

One X user wrote, "The fact that all these security breaches keep happening under his watch is crazy." One more comment read, “What a coward."

A social media user chimed in, “He's just the talking head in charge of the agency.” A user on X stated, “He is the most powerful source of law enforcement. Why is he ducking?"

Some users referenced unverified reports about Patel's personal habits, with one writing that he was "probably drunk again." Another person wrote, “He is calling an Uber since he is too drunk to drive.”

However, not everyone criticized Patel — some users argued he was right to remain calm while assessing the situation.

A social media user said, “Not a fan of his, but what is he supposed to do. He's a lawyer. Not a trained agent.” Another X user stated, “You expect him to go ahead and open an investigation in the middle of the shooting?"

A user on X added, “Anyone have any idea what he is doing?? Let me clue you in. He was watching for other odd behaviors from any of the people inside the ballroom. You learn much when you watch and keep your mouth shut and yourself quiet.”

Another user defended Patel, writing that as FBI director he is "not Secret Service" and "not armed," adding that intervening would have been "a rogue act" that would "make it harder for" the Secret Service.

According to The Daily Beast, Patel was later seen being escorted through the hotel lobby at approximately 10:02 p.m. — about 90 minutes after the shots were fired