Newsweek duped by parody account claiming to be Kash Patel's dad

Newsweek reported that the father of incoming FBI Director Kash Patel "wrote on X that Biden made the decision to pardon Hunter because he was 'so worried about MY SON Kashu becoming director of the FBI that he decided to pardon his son ... of all crimes.'" The only problem is that the account they were referencing, Dr. Parik Patel, BA, CFA, ACCA Esq., is a parody account. Trump's nomination of Patel indicates an urgency to reform the agency, cut wasteful spending, and depoliticize prosecutions.


Screenshot from archive of Newsweek story

"Parody. Not Investment Advice," the description of the account reads.



In response, the account posted "Thank you @Newsweek for amplifying my message - Hunter Biden was pardoned just in time before my son Kashu could prosecute him for his crimes."
 

An account claiming to not be Jerome Powell noted the gaffe, posting "Newsweek blown the fvck out." The account shared the original parody post from @ParickPatelCFA.

Community Notes was also quick to attempt to remedy the issue, with multiple proposed notes chiming in to say that the account was a parody and that the parody post was an attempt at satire.

Newsweek made the claim in an article discussing the fallout from President Joe Biden's sweeping pardon of his son Hunter. Later, Newsweek scrubbed the reference to Patel's fake dad's account.

Democrats have been lamenting the coming appointment of Patel as FBI head, with some even claiming they would leave the country due to fears of political prosecution. Biden, in a statement accompanying the pardon, said that he believed his son had been politically prosecuted because his name was Biden. 

When Patel worked in the Trump administration in the first term, he uncovered the Russia collusion hoax, proving that the first impeachment against Trump was based on lies. 

In nominating Patel, Trump said ""I am proud to announce that Kashyap 'Kash' Patel will serve as the next Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Kash is a brilliant lawyer, investigator, and 'America First' fighter who has spent his career exposing corruption, defending Justice, and protecting the American People. He played a pivotal role in uncovering the Russia, Russia, Russia Hoax, standing as an advocate for truth, accountability, and the Constitution." 

"Kash did an incredible job during my First Term, where he served as Chief of Staff at the Department of Defense, Deputy Director of National Intelligence, and Senior Director for Counterterrorism at the National Security Council. Kash has also tried over 60 jury trials. This FBI will end the growing crime epidemic in America, dismantle the migrant criminal gangs, and stop the evil scourge of human and drug trafficking across the Border. Kash will work under our great Attorney General, Pam Bondi, to bring back Fidelity, Bravery, and Integrity to the FBI."