FBI Director Kash Patel has posted a promotional video set to the Beastie Boys' "Sabotage" on social media, following a humiliating portrayal on Saturday Night Live by comedian Aziz Ansari. The video, which uses AI-generated clips from the iconic music video interspersed with FBI footage, is the latest in a series of self-congratulatory posts aimed at touting the bureau's accomplishments under President Donald Trump.
Patel's Social Media Blitz
On Monday morning, Patel shared the Beastie Boys-themed video on X, featuring the 1994 track "Sabotage." The clip includes news clips and FBI operations, with Patel declaring, "The FBI delivered the safest America under President Trump’s leadership in the history of our country." The post came just days after Ansari portrayed Patel as hyperactive and bug-eyed on SNL, mocking his outbursts against reporters.
Earlier on Saturday, Patel posted a similar highlight reel set to Guns N' Roses' "You Could Be Mine," despite lead singer Axl Rose's repeated criticisms of Trump. In that video, Patel is seen firing a weapon at a shooting range and speaking to reporters while wearing sunglasses and camouflage.
Legal and Ethical Concerns
It remains unclear whether the FBI obtained permission to use the music. The Beastie Boys have rarely licensed their songs since Adam Yauch's death in 2012, and Adam Horovitz has called Trump a "racist, sexist, homophobe." Guns N' Roses frontman Axl Rose has also blasted Trump for using the band's music. The Independent has sought comment from the FBI and representatives for both bands.
Patel, 48, is facing intense scrutiny over allegations of alcohol abuse on the job, which he vehemently denies. He filed a $250 million defamation lawsuit against The Atlantic and journalist Sarah Fitzpatrick over a profile that characterized him as paranoid and prone to excessive drinking. At a recent press conference, Patel lashed out at the "fake news mafia" and challenged reporters: "Bring it on. I’ll see you in court."
Political and Bipartisan Criticism
More than a dozen House Democrats have launched an investigation into Patel's alleged drinking, demanding he share screening results with Congress. Patel has also faced bipartisan criticism over the FBI's handling of the Jeffrey Epstein case and the release of millions of documents related to the sex offender.
His latest videos follow a security breach at the White House Correspondents' Dinner on April 25, where a gunman attempted to target administration officials. The suspect, Cole Allen, reportedly did not include Patel on an alleged hit list.
The "Sabotage" video focuses on FBI fraud investigations, including the indictment of the Southern Poverty Law Center for allegedly defrauding donors. Civil rights groups have condemned the indictment as part of a Trump administration campaign against perceived enemies.
"The size of the fraud continues to be exposed, and there will be more arrests coming," Patel says at the end of the video.
