{"id":19381,"date":"2026-04-22T03:36:18","date_gmt":"2026-04-22T03:36:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/jobuzo.com\/en\/does-the-trump-administration-have-a-drinking-problem\/"},"modified":"2026-04-22T03:36:18","modified_gmt":"2026-04-22T03:36:18","slug":"does-the-trump-administration-have-a-drinking-problem","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/jobuzo.com\/en\/does-the-trump-administration-have-a-drinking-problem\/","title":{"rendered":"Does the Trump administration have a drinking problem?"},"content":{"rendered":"<div>\n<div data-testid=\"ad-sticky-container\" class=\"sc-37562b78-0 iLENDS\">\n<div class=\"container\">\n<div class=\"sc-54c4a04e-0 evuabm adWrapper noPrint sc-1c01c11e-0 jLbRED\" data-testid=\"ad\"><small class=\"sc-54c4a04e-2 dhgkTF\">Advertisement<\/small><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<header class=\"sc-ad76bc40-0 fNDZoQ\">\n<div class=\"sc-5cbbddda-0 hjlPcO\">\n<div data-testid=\"article-author\" class=\"sc-5cbbddda-1 hPBdKJ\" readability=\"4.225\">\n<div readability=\"5.2\">\n<p data-testid=\"article-datetime\" class=\"sc-5cbbddda-5 hxoHkT\"><span class=\"sc-a243f860-0 gjmXPs\"><time data-testid=\"storytile-timestamp\" datetime=\"2026-04-22T11:52:35+10:00\">April 22, 2026<!-- --> &mdash; 11:52am<\/time><\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"sc-7132c98c-0 efdRpd noPrint\" data-testid=\"article-actions\">\n<div class=\"sc-7132c98c-1 iddmiW\">\n<div class=\"sc-f9e3ccff-0 kbEYga\" readability=\"8.5431472081218\"><button aria-checked=\"false\" aria-label=\"Save article to read later\" role=\"switch\" type=\"button\" class=\"sc-f9e3ccff-1 kmQlMe\"><svg fill=\"none\" height=\"24\" stroke=\"currentColor\" stroke-width=\"1.5\" viewbox=\"0 0 24 24\" width=\"24\" class=\"sc-d1b14060-0 TUyao\"><path d=\"M5.75 4C5.75 3.86193 5.86193 3.75 6 3.75H18C18.1381 3.75 18.25 3.86193 18.25 4L18.25 19.7709L12.8004 16.9682C12.2981 16.7099 11.7019 16.7099 11.1996 16.9682L5.75 19.7709L5.75 4Z\"><\/path><\/svg><span class=\"sc-f9e3ccff-2 gaKrMl\">Save<\/span><\/button>\n<div aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"sc-ba6ddcd9-0 kskMyR sc-d1b14060-3 cpmcTK\" role=\"tooltip\" readability=\"8.0816326530612\">\n<p class=\"sc-d1b14060-4 JmUoF\">You have reached your maximum number of saved items.<\/p>\n<p>Remove items from your saved list to add more.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"sc-ba6ddcd9-0 jfkHmu sc-369d9219-0 eXOXvX\" role=\"tooltip\" readability=\"9\">\n<p class=\"sc-369d9219-1 bOiPYX\">Save this article for later<\/p>\n<p class=\"sc-369d9219-2 bufJxo\">Add articles to your saved list and come back to them anytime.<\/p>\n<p><button type=\"button\" class=\"sc-3f16ee48-0 sc-3f16ee48-6 sc-369d9219-3 bQUHHf bbwrGd jdMUKO\">Got it<\/button><\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"internal-linking-related-contents\"><a href=\"https:\/\/jobuzo.com\/en\/12-weeks-jail-for-school-it-support-technician-who-took-upskirt-videos-of-teachers\/\" class=\"template-1\"><span class=\"cta\">News :<\/span><span class=\"postTitle\">&lt;div&gt;12 weeks' jail for school IT support technician who took upskirt videos of teachers&lt;\/div&gt;<\/span><\/a><\/div><p><button aria-label=\"Set font size to normal\" aria-pressed=\"true\" class=\"sc-f7fd8257-1 yiNod\">A<\/button><button aria-label=\"Set font size to larger\" aria-pressed=\"false\" class=\"sc-f7fd8257-1 frqtnv\">A<\/button><button aria-label=\"Set font size to very large\" aria-pressed=\"false\" class=\"sc-f7fd8257-1 frqrHP\">A<\/button><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/header>\n<aside class=\"sc-6f94ac39-6 esmrVF\"><\/aside>\n<div class=\"sc-c502198b-0 NkURW\" readability=\"24.3125\">\n<p><strong>Washington:<\/strong> Across the road from the Treasury building in Washington is Ned&rsquo;s Club, a private members&rsquo; lounge that has become a place to see and be seen for Trump administration big wigs and a coterie of young movers and shakers in the US capital.<\/p>\n<p>Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent is a regular, while billionaire Mark Cuban and star CNN anchor Kaitlan Collins were reportedly among the early VIP members and guests when it opened &ndash; alongside the Trump administration &ndash; in early 2025.<\/p>\n<p>It&rsquo;s the kind of modern, flashy members&rsquo; club that tries to distance itself from the stuffier vibe of predecessors. Memberships start at $US5000 ($7000) a year.<\/p>\n<p>It&rsquo;s also where, according to a recent, explosive report in <em>The Atlantic<\/em>, FBI director Kash Patel likes to drink &ndash; sometimes to excess.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"container\">\n<div class=\"sc-54c4a04e-0 yKpxh adWrapper noPrint sc-6f94ac39-3 fDyKLW\" data-testid=\"ad\"><small class=\"sc-54c4a04e-2 dhgkTF\">Advertisement<\/small><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"sc-c502198b-0 NkURW\" readability=\"23.997242647059\">\n<p>Patel&rsquo;s alleged exploits &ndash; which he denies, and is suing the magazine over &ndash; raise fresh questions about the conduct of people Donald Trump has surrounded himself with at the very top of his administration.<\/p>\n<aside data-testid=\"related-story\" class=\"sc-c8170ed7-0 kBAoLZ\">\n<h2 data-testid=\"related-story-heading\" class=\"sc-c8170ed7-1 iHMtRN\">Related Article<\/h2>\n<div class=\"sc-679b6ed4-0 VKgwt\" data-an-position=\"1\" imagepositions=\"top\" data-testid=\"story-tile\">\n<figure imagesizes=\"[object Object]\" class=\"sc-8825a2fb-0 kZkxVd\">\n<div class=\"sc-d34e428-0 ikzfwY\"><picture><source media=\"(min-width: 1000px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/$zoom_0.5295%2C$multiply_0.2805%2C$ratio_1.777778%2C$width_1059%2C$x_0%2C$y_0\/t_crop_custom\/q_86%2Cf_auto\/71b97608d1d8e25d83821de695cc1e04d35c5def, https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/$zoom_0.5295%2C$multiply_0.5609%2C$ratio_1.777778%2C$width_1059%2C$x_0%2C$y_0\/t_crop_custom\/q_62%2Cf_auto\/71b97608d1d8e25d83821de695cc1e04d35c5def 2x\"><source media=\"(min-width: 750px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/$zoom_0.5295%2C$multiply_0.2842%2C$ratio_1.777778%2C$width_1059%2C$x_0%2C$y_0\/t_crop_custom\/q_86%2Cf_auto\/71b97608d1d8e25d83821de695cc1e04d35c5def, https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/$zoom_0.5295%2C$multiply_0.5685%2C$ratio_1.777778%2C$width_1059%2C$x_0%2C$y_0\/t_crop_custom\/q_62%2Cf_auto\/71b97608d1d8e25d83821de695cc1e04d35c5def 2x\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"FBI director Kash Patel is suing The Atlantic magazine over an article portraying him as unreliable and a problem drinker.\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/%24zoom_0.5295,%24multiply_0.5127,%24ratio_1.777778,%24width_1059,%24x_0,%24y_0\/t_crop_custom\/q_86,f_auto\/71b97608d1d8e25d83821de695cc1e04d35c5def\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/$zoom_0.5295%2C$multiply_0.5127%2C$ratio_1.777778%2C$width_1059%2C$x_0%2C$y_0\/t_crop_custom\/q_86%2Cf_auto\/71b97608d1d8e25d83821de695cc1e04d35c5def, https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/$zoom_0.5295%2C$multiply_1.0255%2C$ratio_1.777778%2C$width_1059%2C$x_0%2C$y_0\/t_crop_custom\/q_62%2Cf_auto\/71b97608d1d8e25d83821de695cc1e04d35c5def 2x\" class=\"sc-d34e428-1 ioInpc\"><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<div class=\"internal-linking-related-contents\"><a href=\"https:\/\/jobuzo.com\/en\/migrant-acquitted-in-first-trial-over-us-border-military-zones\/\" class=\"template-1\"><span class=\"cta\">News :<\/span><span class=\"postTitle\">Migrant acquitted in first trial over US border military zones<\/span><\/a><\/div><p><em>The Atlantic<\/em>&rsquo;s Sarah Fitzpatrick reported that Patel&rsquo;s colleagues had described his &ldquo;bouts of excessive drinking&rdquo;, and not just at Ned&rsquo;s, where he &ldquo;is known to drink to the point of obvious intoxication &hellip; while in the presence of White House and other administration staff&rdquo;.<\/p>\n<p>Patel was also said to sometimes consume excessively at the Poodle Room in Las Vegas, another members-only lounge located on the 89th floor of the Fontainebleau hotel and casino, where he &ldquo;frequently spends parts of his weekends&rdquo;.<\/p>\n<p><em>The Atlantic<\/em> reported that members of Patel&rsquo;s security detail had difficulty waking him on several occasions, and that colleagues fear his drinking may have contributed to erratic workplace behaviour and high-profile mistakes in the job.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"container\">\n<div class=\"sc-54c4a04e-0 yKpxh adWrapper noPrint sc-6f94ac39-3 fDyKLW\" data-testid=\"ad\"><small class=\"sc-54c4a04e-2 dhgkTF\">Advertisement<\/small><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"sc-c502198b-0 NkURW\" readability=\"27.988945578231\">\n<p>Patel has denied these allegations and filed a $US250 million defamation lawsuit against the magazine, calling the article false and malicious. &ldquo;I have never been intoxicated on the job,&rdquo; he said on Tuesday (US time).<\/p>\n<p>Among the claims Patel&rsquo;s lawyers said were fabricated was an alleged &ldquo;freak-out&rdquo; earlier this month when he found himself unable to log in to his computer, fearing he had been fired.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"sc-4820f69c-1 ZrhPA\"><button aria-label=\"enlarge image\" type=\"button\" class=\"sc-4820f69c-5 dyWwUw\">\n<div class=\"sc-d34e428-0 ikzfwY\"><picture><source media=\"(min-width: 1000px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/$zoom_0.7%2C$multiply_0.9841%2C$ratio_1.5%2C$width_756%2C$x_0%2C$y_220\/t_crop_custom\/q_86%2Cf_auto\/c457b17fcd486fc01ee172585926283000a07376, https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/$zoom_0.7%2C$multiply_1.9683%2C$ratio_1.5%2C$width_756%2C$x_0%2C$y_220\/t_crop_custom\/q_62%2Cf_auto\/c457b17fcd486fc01ee172585926283000a07376 2x\"><source media=\"(min-width: 750px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/$zoom_0.7%2C$multiply_1.0159%2C$ratio_1.5%2C$width_756%2C$x_0%2C$y_220\/t_crop_custom\/q_86%2Cf_auto\/c457b17fcd486fc01ee172585926283000a07376, https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/$zoom_0.7%2C$multiply_2.0317%2C$ratio_1.5%2C$width_756%2C$x_0%2C$y_220\/t_crop_custom\/q_62%2Cf_auto\/c457b17fcd486fc01ee172585926283000a07376 2x\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"The place to be seen: Ned&rsquo;s Club in Washington.\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/%24zoom_0.7,%24multiply_0.7725,%24ratio_1.5,%24width_756,%24x_0,%24y_220\/t_crop_custom\/q_86,f_auto\/c457b17fcd486fc01ee172585926283000a07376\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/$zoom_0.7%2C$multiply_0.7725%2C$ratio_1.5%2C$width_756%2C$x_0%2C$y_220\/t_crop_custom\/q_86%2Cf_auto\/c457b17fcd486fc01ee172585926283000a07376, https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/$zoom_0.7%2C$multiply_1.545%2C$ratio_1.5%2C$width_756%2C$x_0%2C$y_220\/t_crop_custom\/q_62%2Cf_auto\/c457b17fcd486fc01ee172585926283000a07376 2x\" class=\"sc-d34e428-1 ldCIuB\"><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>\n<p><svg viewbox=\"0 0 38 38\" height=\"38px\" width=\"38px\" class=\"sc-4820f69c-4 iMiYlW\"><g stroke=\"#F4F5F7\" stroke-width=\"2\" fill=\"none\" fill-rule=\"evenodd\" stroke-linecap=\"round\" stroke-linejoin=\"round\" transform=\"matrix(1, 0, 0, 1, 22.029383, 7.619553)\"><path d=\"M1 8l6.36396103-6.36396103M8 7V1H2\"><\/path><\/g><g stroke=\"#F4F5F7\" stroke-width=\"2\" fill=\"none\" fill-rule=\"evenodd\" stroke-linecap=\"round\" stroke-linejoin=\"round\" transform=\"matrix(1, 0, 0, 1, 7.0731, 21.523087)\"><path d=\"M8 1L1.63603897 7.36396103M1 2v6h6\"><\/path><\/g><\/svg><\/p><\/button><figcaption data-testid=\"figure-caption\" class=\"sc-4820f69c-0 SuAZY\"><span>The place to be seen: Ned&rsquo;s Club in Washington.<\/span><cite class=\"sc-4820f69c-2 jfXEoI\"><span class=\"sc-4820f69c-3 jfhtQZ\">Instagram<\/span><\/cite><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>The lawsuit also claims <em>The Atlantic<\/em> only gave the FBI 111 minutes to respond to 19 detailed questions about Patel&rsquo;s alleged behaviour &ndash; which, if true, would be quite unreasonable. However, Fitzpatrick &ndash; an experienced investigative reporter &ndash; has said the FBI and White House were given multiple opportunities to respond. The magazine said it stood by its reporting.<\/p>\n<p>This masthead has not independently investigated or verified the allegations made about Patel, and does not judge their veracity. They certainly add to a narrative that has developed since he was filmed chugging beer in Italy with the US men&rsquo;s ice hockey team after they won gold at the Winter Olympics. But that is hardly a crime.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"container\">\n<div class=\"sc-54c4a04e-0 yKpxh adWrapper noPrint sc-6f94ac39-3 fDyKLW\" data-testid=\"ad\"><small class=\"sc-54c4a04e-2 dhgkTF\">Advertisement<\/small><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"sc-c502198b-0 NkURW\" readability=\"32.26802507837\">\n<p>Still, Patel is not the only one of Trump&rsquo;s senior appointees whose behaviour has come into question. Former labour secretary Lori Chavez-DeRemer, who resigned on Monday (US time), has been subject to a misconduct investigation after a complaint was filed with the inspector general.<\/p>\n<p>Among those complaints was that Chavez-DeRemer texted employees to bring wine to her hotel room during work trips, sometimes in the middle of the day, <em>The New York Post <\/em>reported. The complaint also described her drinking in her office and made reference to a &ldquo;stash&rdquo; of champagne, bourbon and Kahlua that she apparently kept there, according to the <em>Post<\/em>.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"sc-4820f69c-1 ZrhPA\"><button aria-label=\"enlarge image\" type=\"button\" class=\"sc-4820f69c-5 dyWwUw\">\n<div class=\"sc-d34e428-0 ikzfwY\"><picture><source media=\"(min-width: 1000px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/$zoom_0.378%2C$multiply_0.9841%2C$ratio_1.5%2C$width_756%2C$x_0%2C$y_0\/t_crop_custom\/q_86%2Cf_auto\/b503bc0deef55fb6b02656ac9da92c82965d1415, https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/$zoom_0.378%2C$multiply_1.9683%2C$ratio_1.5%2C$width_756%2C$x_0%2C$y_0\/t_crop_custom\/q_62%2Cf_auto\/b503bc0deef55fb6b02656ac9da92c82965d1415 2x\"><source media=\"(min-width: 750px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/$zoom_0.378%2C$multiply_1.0159%2C$ratio_1.5%2C$width_756%2C$x_0%2C$y_0\/t_crop_custom\/q_86%2Cf_auto\/b503bc0deef55fb6b02656ac9da92c82965d1415, https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/$zoom_0.378%2C$multiply_2.0317%2C$ratio_1.5%2C$width_756%2C$x_0%2C$y_0\/t_crop_custom\/q_62%2Cf_auto\/b503bc0deef55fb6b02656ac9da92c82965d1415 2x\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Lori Chavez-DeRemer quit as labour secretary this week.\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/%24zoom_0.378,%24multiply_0.7725,%24ratio_1.5,%24width_756,%24x_0,%24y_0\/t_crop_custom\/q_86,f_auto\/b503bc0deef55fb6b02656ac9da92c82965d1415\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/$zoom_0.378%2C$multiply_0.7725%2C$ratio_1.5%2C$width_756%2C$x_0%2C$y_0\/t_crop_custom\/q_86%2Cf_auto\/b503bc0deef55fb6b02656ac9da92c82965d1415, https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/$zoom_0.378%2C$multiply_1.545%2C$ratio_1.5%2C$width_756%2C$x_0%2C$y_0\/t_crop_custom\/q_62%2Cf_auto\/b503bc0deef55fb6b02656ac9da92c82965d1415 2x\" class=\"sc-d34e428-1 ldCIuB\"><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>\n<p><svg viewbox=\"0 0 38 38\" height=\"38px\" width=\"38px\" class=\"sc-4820f69c-4 iMiYlW\"><g stroke=\"#F4F5F7\" stroke-width=\"2\" fill=\"none\" fill-rule=\"evenodd\" stroke-linecap=\"round\" stroke-linejoin=\"round\" transform=\"matrix(1, 0, 0, 1, 22.029383, 7.619553)\"><path d=\"M1 8l6.36396103-6.36396103M8 7V1H2\"><\/path><\/g><g stroke=\"#F4F5F7\" stroke-width=\"2\" fill=\"none\" fill-rule=\"evenodd\" stroke-linecap=\"round\" stroke-linejoin=\"round\" transform=\"matrix(1, 0, 0, 1, 7.0731, 21.523087)\"><path d=\"M8 1L1.63603897 7.36396103M1 2v6h6\"><\/path><\/g><\/svg><\/p><\/button><figcaption data-testid=\"figure-caption\" class=\"sc-4820f69c-0 SuAZY\"><span>Lori Chavez-DeRemer quit as labour secretary this week.<\/span><cite class=\"sc-4820f69c-2 jfXEoI\"><span class=\"sc-4820f69c-3 jfhtQZ\">Bloomberg<\/span><\/cite><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Again, Chavez-DeRemer denies these claims. Upon her resignation, she said the allegations against her were &ldquo;peddled by high-ranking deep state actors who have been co-ordinating with the one-sided news media and continue to undermine President Trump&rsquo;s mission&rdquo;. Even on the way out, fealty to the boss is paramount.<\/p>\n<p>Then there is Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth, who was grilled during his confirmation hearing last year about incidents that allegedly involved him being highly intoxicated at functions &ndash; all of which he dismissed as being &ldquo;anonymous smears&rdquo;.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"container\">\n<div class=\"sc-54c4a04e-0 yKpxh adWrapper noPrint sc-6f94ac39-3 fDyKLW\" data-testid=\"ad\"><small class=\"sc-54c4a04e-2 dhgkTF\">Advertisement<\/small><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"sc-c502198b-0 NkURW\" readability=\"28.064724919094\">\n<p>Before that hearing, he vowed to give up drinking if confirmed in the role, promising the world would get &ldquo;fully dialled-in Pete&rdquo;, no matter the time of day or night.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;This is the biggest deployment of my life, and there won&rsquo;t be a drop of alcohol on my lips while I&rsquo;m doing it,&rdquo; he told former Fox host Megyn Kelly&rsquo;s podcast in late 2024.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"sc-4820f69c-1 ZrhPA\"><button aria-label=\"enlarge image\" type=\"button\" class=\"sc-4820f69c-5 dyWwUw\">\n<div class=\"sc-d34e428-0 ikzfwY\"><picture><source media=\"(min-width: 1000px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/$zoom_0.378%2C$multiply_0.9841%2C$ratio_1.5%2C$width_756%2C$x_0%2C$y_0\/t_crop_custom\/q_86%2Cf_auto\/a6866d0c90798b7e6bed5f15a0e0c9df814b37f9, https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/$zoom_0.378%2C$multiply_1.9683%2C$ratio_1.5%2C$width_756%2C$x_0%2C$y_0\/t_crop_custom\/q_62%2Cf_auto\/a6866d0c90798b7e6bed5f15a0e0c9df814b37f9 2x\"><source media=\"(min-width: 750px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/$zoom_0.378%2C$multiply_1.0159%2C$ratio_1.5%2C$width_756%2C$x_0%2C$y_0\/t_crop_custom\/q_86%2Cf_auto\/a6866d0c90798b7e6bed5f15a0e0c9df814b37f9, https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/$zoom_0.378%2C$multiply_2.0317%2C$ratio_1.5%2C$width_756%2C$x_0%2C$y_0\/t_crop_custom\/q_62%2Cf_auto\/a6866d0c90798b7e6bed5f15a0e0c9df814b37f9 2x\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth vowed to give up drinking alcohol  when he got the job.\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/%24zoom_0.378,%24multiply_0.7725,%24ratio_1.5,%24width_756,%24x_0,%24y_0\/t_crop_custom\/q_86,f_auto\/a6866d0c90798b7e6bed5f15a0e0c9df814b37f9\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/$zoom_0.378%2C$multiply_0.7725%2C$ratio_1.5%2C$width_756%2C$x_0%2C$y_0\/t_crop_custom\/q_86%2Cf_auto\/a6866d0c90798b7e6bed5f15a0e0c9df814b37f9, https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/$zoom_0.378%2C$multiply_1.545%2C$ratio_1.5%2C$width_756%2C$x_0%2C$y_0\/t_crop_custom\/q_62%2Cf_auto\/a6866d0c90798b7e6bed5f15a0e0c9df814b37f9 2x\" class=\"sc-d34e428-1 ldCIuB\"><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>\n<p><svg viewbox=\"0 0 38 38\" height=\"38px\" width=\"38px\" class=\"sc-4820f69c-4 iMiYlW\"><g stroke=\"#F4F5F7\" stroke-width=\"2\" fill=\"none\" fill-rule=\"evenodd\" stroke-linecap=\"round\" stroke-linejoin=\"round\" transform=\"matrix(1, 0, 0, 1, 22.029383, 7.619553)\"><path d=\"M1 8l6.36396103-6.36396103M8 7V1H2\"><\/path><\/g><g stroke=\"#F4F5F7\" stroke-width=\"2\" fill=\"none\" fill-rule=\"evenodd\" stroke-linecap=\"round\" stroke-linejoin=\"round\" transform=\"matrix(1, 0, 0, 1, 7.0731, 21.523087)\"><path d=\"M8 1L1.63603897 7.36396103M1 2v6h6\"><\/path><\/g><\/svg><\/p><\/button><figcaption data-testid=\"figure-caption\" class=\"sc-4820f69c-0 SuAZY\"><span>Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth vowed to give up drinking alcohol  when he got the job.<\/span><cite class=\"sc-4820f69c-2 jfXEoI\"><span class=\"sc-4820f69c-3 jfhtQZ\">Bloomberg<\/span><\/cite><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Of course, that hasn&rsquo;t stopped Hegseth being regularly mocked as a boozehound on <em>Saturday Night Live<\/em> &ndash; along with another Trump appointee, Jeanine Pirro, who was once accused of being drunk while hosting her show (Fox News denied those claims at the time).<\/p>\n<p>Trump, by most accounts, has little time for lushes. He is a teetotaller, and says he has never touched a drop of alcohol (famously preferring Diet Coke). His older brother, Fred Trump Jr, was an alcoholic who died young.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"container\">\n<div class=\"sc-54c4a04e-0 yKpxh adWrapper noPrint sc-6f94ac39-3 fDyKLW\" data-testid=\"ad\"><small class=\"sc-54c4a04e-2 dhgkTF\">Advertisement<\/small><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"sc-c502198b-0 NkURW\" readability=\"26.495102404274\">\n<p>Even if the claims about Patel turn out to be exaggerated or misleading, they are believable &ndash; they &ldquo;track&rdquo;, as Americans like to say &ndash; because the Trump administration so often appears to be a refuge for frat boy types promoted above their station.<\/p>\n<p>Loyalty to Trump and Trumpism is the highest quality an appointee can have. Appearing on Fox News after <em>The Atlantic<\/em> story broke, Patel was asked &ndash; and was happy to answer &ndash; what he had done to look into Trump&rsquo;s claims that the 2020 election was stolen from him.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"sc-4820f69c-1 ZrhPA\"><button aria-label=\"enlarge image\" type=\"button\" class=\"sc-4820f69c-5 dyWwUw\">\n<div class=\"sc-d34e428-0 ikzfwY\"><picture><source media=\"(min-width: 1000px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/$zoom_1.276%2C$multiply_0.9841%2C$ratio_1.5%2C$width_756%2C$x_26%2C$y_0\/t_crop_custom\/q_86%2Cf_auto\/e6e1e044ea2346470b29f924ee7f77983c93f661, https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/$zoom_1.276%2C$multiply_1.9683%2C$ratio_1.5%2C$width_756%2C$x_26%2C$y_0\/t_crop_custom\/q_62%2Cf_auto\/e6e1e044ea2346470b29f924ee7f77983c93f661 2x\"><source media=\"(min-width: 750px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/$zoom_1.276%2C$multiply_1.0159%2C$ratio_1.5%2C$width_756%2C$x_26%2C$y_0\/t_crop_custom\/q_86%2Cf_auto\/e6e1e044ea2346470b29f924ee7f77983c93f661, https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/$zoom_1.276%2C$multiply_2.0317%2C$ratio_1.5%2C$width_756%2C$x_26%2C$y_0\/t_crop_custom\/q_62%2Cf_auto\/e6e1e044ea2346470b29f924ee7f77983c93f661 2x\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"The Republican Club by painter Andy Thomas depicts Donald Trump having a Diet Coke with former Republican presidents.\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/%24zoom_1.276,%24multiply_0.7725,%24ratio_1.5,%24width_756,%24x_26,%24y_0\/t_crop_custom\/q_86,f_auto\/e6e1e044ea2346470b29f924ee7f77983c93f661\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/$zoom_1.276%2C$multiply_0.7725%2C$ratio_1.5%2C$width_756%2C$x_26%2C$y_0\/t_crop_custom\/q_86%2Cf_auto\/e6e1e044ea2346470b29f924ee7f77983c93f661, https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/$zoom_1.276%2C$multiply_1.545%2C$ratio_1.5%2C$width_756%2C$x_26%2C$y_0\/t_crop_custom\/q_62%2Cf_auto\/e6e1e044ea2346470b29f924ee7f77983c93f661 2x\" class=\"sc-d34e428-1 ldCIuB\"><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>\n<p><svg viewbox=\"0 0 38 38\" height=\"38px\" width=\"38px\" class=\"sc-4820f69c-4 iMiYlW\"><g stroke=\"#F4F5F7\" stroke-width=\"2\" fill=\"none\" fill-rule=\"evenodd\" stroke-linecap=\"round\" stroke-linejoin=\"round\" transform=\"matrix(1, 0, 0, 1, 22.029383, 7.619553)\"><path d=\"M1 8l6.36396103-6.36396103M8 7V1H2\"><\/path><\/g><g stroke=\"#F4F5F7\" stroke-width=\"2\" fill=\"none\" fill-rule=\"evenodd\" stroke-linecap=\"round\" stroke-linejoin=\"round\" transform=\"matrix(1, 0, 0, 1, 7.0731, 21.523087)\"><path d=\"M8 1L1.63603897 7.36396103M1 2v6h6\"><\/path><\/g><\/svg><\/p><\/button><figcaption data-testid=\"figure-caption\" class=\"sc-4820f69c-0 SuAZY\"><span>The Republican Club by painter Andy Thomas depicts Donald Trump having a Diet Coke with former Republican presidents.<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Patel said he had all the evidence and promised more arrests were coming soon. &ldquo;I am never going to let this go,&rdquo; he told host Maria Bartiromo. &ldquo;They tried to thwart our elections and rig the entire system.&rdquo; (Claims the 2020 election was rigged have been debunked.)<\/p>\n<p>Like former attorney-general Pam Bondi before him, Patel has been under pressure to secure indictments of the president&rsquo;s political enemies. Those attempts have failed so far, but he is determined to do so.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"container\">\n<div class=\"sc-54c4a04e-0 yKpxh adWrapper noPrint sc-6f94ac39-3 fDyKLW\" data-testid=\"ad\"><small class=\"sc-54c4a04e-2 dhgkTF\">Advertisement<\/small><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"sc-c502198b-0 NkURW\" readability=\"8.9375\">\n<p>Perhaps that &ndash; and his open embrace of conspiracy theories &ndash; is an even bigger concern than whether he likes a drink.<\/p>\n<p><b><i>Get a note directly from our foreign <\/i><\/b><b><i>correspondents <\/i><\/b><b><i>on what&rsquo;s making headlines around the world. <\/i><\/b><b><i>Sign up for our weekly What in the World newsletter<\/i><\/b><b><i>.<\/i><\/b><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div data-testid=\"article-footer\" class=\"sc-780f6c39-0 fWnQtB\">\n<div class=\"sc-780f6c39-1 bhFzjY noPrint\">\n<div class=\"sc-780f6c39-2 ksUUFP\">\n<div class=\"sc-f9e3ccff-0 kbEYga sc-780f6c39-3 fMMhlQ\" readability=\"6.3137254901961\"><button aria-checked=\"false\" aria-label=\"Save article to read later\" role=\"switch\" type=\"button\" class=\"sc-f9e3ccff-1 kmQlMe\"><svg fill=\"none\" height=\"24\" stroke=\"currentColor\" stroke-width=\"1.5\" viewbox=\"0 0 24 24\" width=\"24\" class=\"sc-d1b14060-0 TUyao\"><path d=\"M5.75 4C5.75 3.86193 5.86193 3.75 6 3.75H18C18.1381 3.75 18.25 3.86193 18.25 4L18.25 19.7709L12.8004 16.9682C12.2981 16.7099 11.7019 16.7099 11.1996 16.9682L5.75 19.7709L5.75 4Z\"><\/path><\/svg><span class=\"sc-f9e3ccff-2 gaKrMl\">Save<\/span><\/button>\n<div aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"sc-ba6ddcd9-0 yEdFV sc-d1b14060-3 cpmcTK\" role=\"tooltip\" readability=\"8.0816326530612\">\n<p class=\"sc-d1b14060-4 JmUoF\">You have reached your maximum number of saved items.<\/p>\n<p>Remove items from your saved list to add more.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"sc-b5b9fd03-0 ksyHqK\">\n<div class=\"sc-b5b9fd03-1 LVIFj\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Michael Koziol\" data-testid=\"author-avatar-image\" height=\"40\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/w_40,h_40,c_fill,g_auto:faces\/q_86,f_auto\/369958dc66697d0627416b0b8924e301553f0262\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/w_40,h_40,c_fill,g_auto:faces\/q_86,f_auto\/369958dc66697d0627416b0b8924e301553f0262, https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/w_80%2Ch_80%2Cc_fill%2Cg_auto:faces\/q_86%2Cf_auto\/369958dc66697d0627416b0b8924e301553f0262 2x\" width=\"40\" class=\"sc-9a01536c-0 libeSR\"><span data-testid=\"author-bio\" class=\"sc-b5b9fd03-3 cVMGnz\"><span>Michael Koziol is the North America correspondent for The Age and Sydney Morning Herald. He is a former Sydney editor, Sun-Herald deputy editor and a federal political reporter in Canberra.<\/span><span class=\"sc-b5b9fd03-4 gMBkSk\">Connect via X<span> or <\/span>email.<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<section class=\"sc-3dbe4134-0 iIZygf sc-df8e6ee0-0 noPrint\" data-an-name=\"From our partners\" data-an-cu-group=\"everything\" data-an-cu-name=\"From our partners\" data-an-cu-position=\"4\" data-testid=\"from-our-partners-strap\">\n<header class=\"sc-84567ec1-0 hpMljf\">\n<h2 data-pb-type=\"hi\" class=\"sc-84567ec1-1 weWOF\"><span>From our partners<\/span><\/h2>\n<\/header>\n<div class=\"sc-df8e6ee0-1 iJvgCK\">\n<div class=\"container\">\n<div class=\"sc-54c4a04e-0 blRVQF adWrapper noPrint sc-df8e6ee0-2 gcpFZE\" data-testid=\"ad\"><small class=\"sc-54c4a04e-2 dhgkTF\">Advertisement<\/small><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"container\">\n<div class=\"sc-54c4a04e-0 blRVQF adWrapper noPrint sc-df8e6ee0-3 fIPZKC\" data-testid=\"ad\"><small class=\"sc-54c4a04e-2 dhgkTF\">Advertisement<\/small><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<\/div>\n<p><sub>Does the Trump administration have a drinking problem?<\/sub><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Advertisement April 22, 2026 &mdash; 11:52am Save You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Save this article for later Add articles to your saved list and come back to them anytime. 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