WHCA dinner shooting becomes ‘make or break’ for Kash Patel

Published April 27, 2026 5:34pm ET | Updated April 27, 2026 5:34pm ET



The attempted shooting at Saturday’s White House Correspondents’ Association dinner could prove a “make or break” moment for FBI Director Kash Patel, thrusting him into the spotlight at a time when his standing inside the Trump administration is already under scrutiny.

Patel, who was in attendance at the Washington Hilton, drew criticism from some conservative commentators for his actions during the roughly 90 minutes between the apprehension of the suspect and the evacuation of guests.

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