FBI director Kash Patel was ridiculed on social media for his message for the deceased Charlie Kirk at the FBI press conference on Friday, where the agency revealed the name of Kirk’s shooter and the details of how the FBI nabbed him after a failed attempt.
“To my friend Charlie Kirk. Rest now brother. We have the watch, and I’ll see you in Valhalla,” Kash Patel said.
Valhalla originates in the Old Norse religion, or Norse paganism, which was practiced by the Vikings and other Germanic peoples of Scandinavia before the arrival of Christianity. The name means “Hall of the Slain”—a vast hall in Asgard ruled by the god Odin. In Norse mythology, warriors who die bravely in battle are chosen by Odin to enter Valhalla, where they dwell after death.
However, many found the comment inappropriate, as Kirk was a Christian and a believer in God, Jesus Christ, and heaven. He did not worship nor praise Old Norse mythology or religion.
The 45-year-old FBI director was speaking alongside Utah Governor Spencer Cox to deliver updates on the investigation when he made the comment. Patel had come under fire in the aftermath of Kirk’s death, as the FBI got the wrong person initially, whom they let out after they realized he was not the shooter. Now, Patel is being labeled insensitive and incompetent on social media, as many are up in arms over his ‘Valhalla’ comment, especially since Patel himself is Hindu.
Look. I’m sorry. “I’ll see you in Valhalla”? https://t.co/8iy61wvyN6
— Andrew Egger (@EggerDC) September 12, 2025
“Indian guy saying that he’ll see a Christian in Valhalla is some confused theology,” wrote one commenter on X.
“We don’t believe in valhalla you dork. This is so not the time or place to be cute,” wrote another.
Patel’s message blended two military sign-offs: “We have the watch,” a Navy retirement phrase from the poem The Watch, and “Until Valhalla,” a Marine tribute to fallen comrades. However, neither Patel nor Kirk served in the military. Some theorized that Patel used the expression of Valhalla because followers of Hinduism do not believe in the Christian concept of heaven in the afterlife.
Some of the negative reactions to Patel’s statement can be read below:
Valhalla? He isn’t a viking.
— John Doe (@ShadowbannedRep) September 12, 2025
Charlie didn’t believe in Valhalla, Kash
— Thommy Come Lately 🇺🇸🏴🇮🇪 (@ThomLately) September 12, 2025
Valhalla? What are you, 14 years old? The fuck is the matter with you people https://t.co/aVKJOfdXws
— MILO (@Nero) September 12, 2025
Signing off to Charlie Kirk, @FBIDirectorKash — who was clearly an evangelical Christian — with “See you in Valhalla,” a pagan reference, whether serious or sarcastic, is not only insensitive and mocking but also tone-deaf from any perspective.
— Ram ben Ze’ev (@rambenzeev) September 12, 2025
He says Valhalla because he’s a Hindu Indian who doesn’t believe in heaven.
His faith wouldn’t allow him to say anything Christian-related, so instead he incorrectly uses the Norse mythological term Valhalla (you have to die in battle to go to Valhalla).
In summary, Kash needs… https://t.co/ezhJUnICW4
— BowTiedRanger (@BowTiedRanger) September 12, 2025
Only in America does a Hindu tell a Protestant that they’ll meet again in the Viking afterlife. https://t.co/ZlVwRlt9Jt
— Dominic Green (@DrDominicGreen) September 12, 2025
Charlie’s in heaven, not in Valhalla you dork. Valhalla doesn’t exist. pic.twitter.com/JqtNiUL8hX
— Kangmin Lee | 이강민 (@kangminjlee) September 12, 2025
Kash thinks he will see Charlie Kirk at Valhalla. This is why we need Christian leaders. During national moments like this, we don’t want pagan religion injected into Christianity. pic.twitter.com/5SF6F5PUeR
— Spence Rogers ✟ (@SpenceRogers) September 12, 2025
