Florida Republican gubernatorial candidate James Fishback has sparked controversy after using a stand-up comedy-style joke to mock FBI Director Kash Patel and label him as incompetent. The clip, shared by commentator Richard Hanania on X, shows Fishback criticizing Patel's competence while drawing a comparison to a failed food delivery investigation.
Fishback's Remarks
In the brief excerpt, Fishback states: "I wouldn't trust him to investigate what happened to my DoorDash last night. And to be fair to him, it was Indian food." The comment was made during a recent campaign appearance as part of a political speech, where Fishback received cheers from the audience. Hanania, sharing the clip, remarked that Fishback is "basically running for governor while doing standup routine."
Context of Criticism
Fishback's comments about Kash Patel come amid broader political criticism of the FBI Director. Reports in The Atlantic have alleged issues including drinking and missed meetings. Patel has denied these allegations and announced plans to file a $250 million defamation lawsuit against the magazine. The Atlantic has stood by its claims and declined to issue an apology. These allegations also surface as the Trump administration has removed several high-profile figures from their government roles, including Pam Bondi and Kristi Noem.
Who is James Fishback?
James Fishback was born in 1995 in Davie, Florida. He is a hedge fund manager and political outsider running for governor. He attended Georgetown University but left before graduating. Later, he worked at Greenlight Capital from 2021 to 2023 before founding his own firm, Azoria Partners, where he serves as CEO and chief investment officer. A fourth-generation Floridian, Fishback is running as a Republican despite having no prior elected office.
