FBI Director Kash Patel slammed MS NOW on Friday for what he called an "all false" report that he abruptly canceled a planned trip to Chicago after being summoned to the White House by Trump administration officials frustrated with his performance.

Why Patel abruptly canceled his trip and went to the White House was unclear, according to MS NOW, but several people told the network that administration officials were disturbed by a range of the FBI director's actions.

"The only thing worse than MS NOW's garbage rebrand is their reporting – all false except one thing – I was at the White House, true, and the fake news will find out why soon," Patel wrote Friday night on X.

MS NOW, citing three people briefed on the last-minute change, reported that Patel canceled his flight to Chicago just as he was preparing to leave Friday morning. He had planned to attend a performance Saturday by his girlfriend, country singer Alexis Wilkins.

Patel's staff had arranged for him to visit the FBI's Chicago field office Friday to coincide with his trip, MS NOW reported, citing two other people with knowledge of his schedule.

Some found it confounding that the FBI director was leaving town amid the recent revival of the conflict with Iran and alleged threats against President Donald Trump's life. A person familiar with efforts to help Patel rebuild trust with the White House told MS NOW that the timing raised concerns.

Several FBI agents complained internally, according to MS NOW, that Patel's visit to the Chicago field office was added later to justify his use of the director's jet — which is estimated to cost tens of thousands of dollars for such domestic trips — for a weekend in Chicago with his girlfriend.

"This is a complete and total lie, but we would expect nothing less than a failing outlet trying to get clicks!" the FBI posted Friday night on its Rapid Response X account. "1. The Director was never on the tarmac 2. Multiple official FBI visits were planned in Chicago 3. Called to WH for official business ... you liars will find out soon!"

MS NOW said it received a statement from White House communications director Steven Cheung, who the network added did not respond to specific questions about Patel's canceled trip or his being summoned to the White House.

"Under President Trump and Director Patel's leadership at the FBI, crime across the country has plummeted to the lowest level in more than 100 years and many high-profile criminals have been put behind bars," he said. "Director Patel remains a critical player on the Administration's law and order team."

When asked to clarify why Patel was at the White House on Friday, a White House official told MS NOW: "The idea that he was 'summoned to the White House' due to 'frustration' is totally inaccurate. He was here for unrelated meetings."