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Judge tosses Kash Patel's defamation suit against blogger, citing no Nevada ties

A federal judge dismissed FBI Director Kash Patel's defamation lawsuit against blogger Jim Stewartson, ruling that the Nevada court lacked jurisdiction. The suit, which stemmed from Stewartson's claims that Patel was a 'Kremlin asset' and 'googly-eyed,' had previously won Patel a $250,000 default judgment.

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Judge tosses Kash Patel's defamation suit against blogger, citing no Nevada ties

Judge tosses Kash Patel's defamation suit against blogger, citing no Nevada ties

The short answer

This is about a defamation lawsuit that FBI Director Kash Patel filed against Jim Stewartson, a California-based blogger and podcast host. Patel accused Stewartson of spreading 'pernicious lies' online, including that Patel was a 'Kremlin asset,' 'planned 1/6,' and was 'guilty of sedition.' Patel filed the suit in Nevada in June 2023. After Stewartson did not respond, Patel won a default judgment—reported as $250,000 by The New Republic, and as $200,000 for Patel plus $50,000 for his foundation by MS NOW. Stewartson later challenged the default judgment, arguing he had no meaningful ties to Nevada and was never properly notified. Nevada Chief District Judge Andrew Gordon agreed, ruling that Stewartson lacked sufficient 'minimum contacts' with Nevada to establish personal jurisdiction. The judge also noted that Stewartson's statements were aimed at 'the American body politic writ large,' not specifically at Nevada. The dismissal effectively kills the case and has been celebrated by Stewartson, who said people are now 'free' to call Patel a 'chud' or 'googly-eyed Kremlin bitch' without legal repercussions.

Why it's trending

The sudden interest in Kash Patel is driven by the federal judge's July 25 order dismissing his lawsuit against Jim Stewartson, a ruling that made headlines because it referenced the insult 'googly-eyed Kremlin bitch' in a footnote. The story also ties into Patel's wider pattern of filing defamation lawsuits against journalists, including a recently reported $250 million suit against The Atlantic over allegations of excessive drinking.

A Nevada judge has tossed FBI Director Kash Patel's defamation lawsuit against blogger Jim Stewartson, ruling that the court lacked personal jurisdiction over the California-based internet commentator. Nevada Chief District Judge Andrew Gordon granted Stewartson's motion to dismiss on July 25, ending a legal battle that began in June 2023 when Patel accused Stewartson of spreading 'pernicious lies'—including that Patel was a 'Kremlin asset' and had 'planned 1/6.'

The two main sources align on the result but differ on some specifics. MS NOW reports that Patel won a default judgment of $200,000 for himself and $50,000 for his foundation after Stewartson didn't initially respond, while The New Republic says the default judgment was a combined $250,000. TNR also notes that Stewartson challenged the judgment by declaring Patel a 'googly-eyed Kremlin bitch' and a 'chud.' Both sources agree that Judge Gordon, an Obama appointee, dismissed the case because Stewartson had no minimum contacts with Nevada—his statements were aimed at a national audience, not Nevada specifically.

The timeline is murky: Patel filed the suit in June 2023; Stewartson failed to appear, leading to a default judgment. TNR says that judgment came in August 2025, while MS Now says only that it happened 'last year.' Stewartson then moved to set it aside, claiming he learned of the judgment from a CNBC article, not official court process. Gordon's July 25 order granted Stewartson's motions, noting that tagging a Nevadan in posts about national politics does not target a Nevadan audience.

The ruling is part of a broader pattern: TNR reports that Patel has filed six defamation lawsuits against journalists in seven years, following President Trump's playbook. Patel's most recent suit, a $250 million case against The Atlantic, has drawn criticism as an 'assault' on the Constitution. Legal observers will likely watch whether Patel appeals this dismissal or shifts his litigation strategy to courts where jurisdiction is clearer.

Timeline

  1. Patel files defamation suit against Jim Stewartson

    FBI Director Kash Patel, then a private citizen, sued blogger Jim Stewartson in Nevada, accusing him of spreading 'pernicious lies' including that Patel was a 'Kremlin asset' and 'planned 1/6.' (MS NOW, The New Republic)

  2. Default judgment awarded to Patel

    After Stewartson did not respond to the lawsuit, the court awarded a default judgment of $250,000 (TNR) or $200,000 to Patel and $50,000 to his foundation (MS NOW).

  3. Stewartson challenges judgment

    Stewartson moved to set aside the default judgment, arguing that Patel never properly notified him and that Nevada courts lack jurisdiction over him. He said he learned of the judgment from a CNBC article. (MS NOW, TNR)

  4. Judge Gordon dismisses lawsuit

    Nevada Chief District Judge Andrew Gordon granted Stewartson's motion to dismiss, finding no personal jurisdiction and citing 'googly-eyed Kremlin bitch' in a footnote. Stewartson celebrated the ruling on X. (MS NOW, TNR)

Questions people ask

Why did the judge dismiss Kash Patel's lawsuit against Jim Stewartson?

Judge Andrew Gordon ruled that Stewartson had no 'minimum contacts' with Nevada, meaning the Nevada court lacked personal jurisdiction. Stewartson's allegedly defamatory posts were aimed at a national audience, not specifically at Nevada residents, even though Patel is a Nevadan. (MS NOW)

What did the blogger call Kash Patel?

Stewartson referred to Patel as a 'Kremlin asset,' a 'blatantly incompetent chud,' a 'googly-eyed Kremlin bitch,' and accused him of attempting to overthrow the government and planning January 6. (MS NOW, The New Republic)

Is Kash Patel suing other news outlets?

Yes. The New Republic reports Patel has filed six defamation lawsuits against journalists in seven years, including a recent $250 million lawsuit against The Atlantic over reporting on his drinking habits while in office. (The New Republic)

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