Kash Patel faces backlash for posting Kirk murder updates while dining at NYC hotspot Rao’s

FBI Director Kash Patel is under fire after posting live updates on social media about the murder investigation of conservative activist Charlie Kirk—while reportedly dining at the exclusive New York restaurant Rao’s.

The iconic Italian spot in East Harlem, considered one of the city’s toughest reservations, opens at 7 pm. According to NBC News, Patel posted on X at 6:21 pm Thursday that the “subject” in Kirk’s killing was “in custody.” Just over an hour later, at 7:59 pm, he updated again, saying the suspect had been released after interrogation.

The posts sparked swift backlash. Retired FBI agent Dan Brunner told Reuters, “What he did yesterday has never been done by any FBI director before him, or any division leadership before.

The investigators need to sort through all the initial intelligence before putting out factual evidence. FBI does not run investigations on social media.”

A law enforcement official quoted by NBC said the handling of the Kirk probe highlighted Patel’s “public inability to meet the moment as a leader.”

An anonymous White House source told Reuters the posts were “unprofessional and unacceptable.” But Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt defended Patel, calling the criticism “despicable” and adding, “Everyone is supporting him and trying to be as helpful as possible during this effort, including the president of the United States.”

In a statement, the FBI said it worked with Utah authorities to apprehend the suspect, stressing, “We will continue to be transparent with the American people with real-time updates as we are able.”

Charlie Kirk, founder of Turning Point USA and a prominent conservative commentator, was shot dead in Utah on Wednesday.