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Kash Patel clashes with NBC News reporter over Atlantic lawsuit claims

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FBI Director Kash Patel got into a heated argument with NBC News reporter Ryan Reilly on Tuesday about his $250 million lawsuit against The Atlantic over what he claimed was a fraudulent story.

During a news conference with Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche regarding an indictment against the Southern Poverty Law Center, Patel was asked to comment on The Atlantic’s reporting, including safety concerns over allegations that he drank excessively and frequently missed work.

Patel denied being drunk on the job and was about to leave the podium when Reilly asked Patel to clarify his claim that he believed he was fired by President Donald Trump because he was temporarily unable to log into the FBI’s internal computer systems.

FBI DIRECTOR KASH PATEL SAID THAT HE WILL TAKE ATLANTIC TO COURT DUE TO THE ‘DEFAMATORY’ REPORT

An article in the Atlantic magazine alleges that FBI Director Kash Patel’s excessive drinking and absenteeism led to security concerns. (Jose Luis Magana/AP Photo)

“Let’s take a poll. How many of you believe this is true?” Patel responded.

Reilly went on to ask the question, which prompted Patel to launch into a tirade against the article’s “baseless” reporting.

“The problem with you and your false reporting is that it is an absolute lie. It was never said. It never happened, and I will serve in this administration as long as the president and attorney general ask me to. And every time you report false lies, every time you ask false questions when we came here to talk about the Southern Poverty Law Center’s decade-long $3 million scheme to scam Americans. You are irrelevant,” Patel remarked.

FBI DIRECTOR KASH PATEL TOLD THE MEDIA: ‘START THIS’ AFTER TAKING HIS OFFICE.

Kash Patel filed a $250 million defamation lawsuit against The Atlantic over its report. (Jim Watson/AFP via Getty Images)

Reilly insisted it was a “direct” question, leading the pair to start talking over each other.

“The simple answer to your question is that you are lying,” Patel insisted.

Patel said he was “never excluded” from the FBI’s systems, but Reilly noted that the defamation suit showed otherwise. Blanche finally stepped in to interrupt Reilly.

FBI DIRECTOR KASH PATEL SENDS A NOTE THAT CNN REPORT ON ATF Cuts IS ‘TOTALLY INCORRECT’

“Stop, you’re being extraordinarily rude, and I know it’s perhaps part of your profession, but please stop. If you ask a question, he can answer. And now you’re interrupting me. Just a little respect, my friend, just a little. Try it sometime,” said Blanche, before answering another question.