White House says news report Trump is considering firing FBI Director Patel is 'completely made up'

White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said Tuesday a news report about President Donald Trump being close to firing FBI Director Kash Patel is "completely made up."

The news outlet MS NOW, formerly MSNBC, cited three anonymous sources in the story Tuesday, with two sources describing Patel as being on thin ice with the administration because of recent incidents and said he could be replaced in the coming months. 

The story states Trump is frustrated by recent, negative headlines about Patel's use of bureau resources, including his use of a government jet and a security detail for his girlfriend. 

Co-Deputy FBI Director Andrew Bailey was floated as a likely replacement, according to the sources. 

Leavitt said she was in the Oval Office with Trump and Patel when the story broke, and that Trump wanted to get a picture with Patel to prove that the story was fake.

"This story is completely made up," Leavitt posted on X. "In fact, when this Fake News published, I was in the Oval Office, where President Trump was meeting with his law enforcement team, including FBI Director Kash Patel. 

"I read the headline to the President, and he laughed," she continued. "He said: 'What? That’s totally false. Come on Kash, let’s take a picture to show them you’re doing a great job!' Do not believe the Fake News!"

The outlet has stood by the story after the White House's denial and one of the story's reporters said FBI sources told him that the story is "spot on," according to Fox News. 

Misty Severi is a news reporter for Just The News. You can follow her on X for more coverage.