Jeffrey Epstein survivor Dani Bensky slams FBI Director Kash Patel over locker room beer celebration in Milan while demanding full file release in Washington

The atmosphere around this year’s State of the Union wasn’t just about policy or partisan applause lines.

Sitting in the chamber as a guest of Chuck Schumer was Dani Bensky, a survivor of the late financier and convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.

Her presence wasn’t symbolic. It was pointed. It was deliberate.

And it came with a message: survivors are still waiting for accountability — and patience is wearing thin.

Schumer publicly praised Bensky ahead of the speech, saying she had transformed “unimaginable pain into unrelenting advocacy.”

He also demanded the full release of Epstein-related documents, echoing a call that has grown louder in recent years across both political parties.

Anger Aimed at the FBI Director

But Bensky’s sharpest criticism wasn’t directed at lawmakers alone.

It was aimed squarely at FBI Director Kash Patel.

Her frustration erupted after viral footage showed Patel celebrating exuberantly with the U.S. men’s hockey team following their dramatic gold medal win in Milan.

Videos circulating online showed the director spraying beer, banging on tables, and wearing a gold medal in the locker room.

To Bensky, the optics were unbearable.

She questioned why the head of the nation’s top investigative agency appeared to be “partying like a college kid” while alleged Epstein co-conspirators remain free.

In her view, it symbolized a broader failure: institutions claiming to protect victims while dragging their feet on full transparency.

“Gaslighting and Manipulating”

Bensky didn’t mince words. She said the government’s handling of survivors feels hauntingly familiar — comparing it to the manipulation she says she endured from Epstein and his longtime associate Ghislaine Maxwell.

Her accusation was stark: that survivors are promised safety and justice, but instead feel sidelined or exploited.

That kind of language underscores just how deep the distrust runs among some Epstein victims.

Despite Maxwell’s conviction in 2021 and a 20-year prison sentence, many believe the network of powerful individuals tied to Epstein has never been fully exposed.

Trump, Prince Andrew, and the Files

Bensky didn’t stop with the FBI. She criticized President Donald Trump, particularly over comments she interpreted as sympathetic toward Prince Andrew rather than toward survivors.

She called on Trump to release “all of the files” connected to Epstein — a reference to the trove of investigative documents that remain partially sealed or heavily redacted.

The Epstein files have become a political lightning rod.

Court disclosures in recent years have named high-profile figures from business, politics, and entertainment, though being named does not necessarily imply wrongdoing.

Still, public suspicion persists, fueled by Epstein’s 2019 jailhouse death, officially ruled a suicide, which continues to generate conspiracy theories across the political spectrum.

The Controversial Italy Trip

Meanwhile, Patel’s presence in Italy added fuel to the fire.

He flew overseas on a government jet — a trip estimated by critics to cost as much as $75,000.

The FBI insists the visit was official business planned months in advance.

According to bureau spokesperson Ben Williamson, Patel met with ambassadors, Italian law enforcement officials, and U.S. agents stationed abroad.

The FBI also emphasized its growing responsibility for international sporting event security.

The trip coincided with the U.S. men’s hockey team’s thrilling overtime victory under coach Mike Sullivan.

Star player Jack Hughes scored the decisive goal, mirroring the U.S. women’s team’s earlier gold medal triumph in similar fashion.

Patel, an amateur hockey enthusiast, celebrated with the team afterward.

In social media posts, he praised their “Unity, Sacrifice, Attitude,” calling it a historic moment for the country.

Security Justification and Bigger Stakes

Behind the scenes, officials argue the director’s presence abroad ties into looming security challenges.

The FBI is expected to play a major role in safeguarding global events hosted by the U.S., including the upcoming FIFA World Cup and the 2028 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles.

One source close to the situation bluntly defended Patel’s overseas meetings, saying early coordination with international partners is critical if Americans want major events to remain safe from terrorism or other threats.

Still, critics say that even if the trip had legitimate purposes, the celebratory imagery — beer spraying and medal draping — was ill-timed given ongoing high-profile investigations back home.

Virginia’s Law and the Fight Over Time Limits

Bensky is also pushing Congress to pass “Virginia’s Law,” named after the late Epstein accuser Virginia Giuffre.

The proposal would eliminate statutes of limitations for certain sex trafficking crimes — a legal barrier that has historically shielded perpetrators when victims were too traumatized or intimidated to come forward quickly.

Statutes of limitations have long been controversial in abuse cases.

Advocates argue that trauma delays disclosure, while opponents warn about due process concerns when cases rely on decades-old evidence.

A Broader Pattern of Distrust

The outrage over Patel’s locker-room celebration isn’t happening in isolation.

It taps into a larger undercurrent: public skepticism toward institutions, particularly after Epstein’s death inside a federal facility under FBI and Bureau of Prisons oversight.

Add to that other ongoing investigations — including the recent manhunt connected to the search for Nancy Guthrie and the fatal shooting of a gunman at Mar-a-Lago — and critics argue the bureau should project focus and restraint.

For supporters, however, Patel’s defenders say Americans can celebrate national victories while still doing the hard work of security and law enforcement behind closed doors.

What’s Next?

Several things could happen from here:

• Pressure may intensify on the administration to release additional Epstein-related documents.

• Congress could revisit proposals like Virginia’s Law as advocacy from survivors gains momentum.

• Lawmakers may request further clarification about the Italy trip’s cost and official agenda.

• The FBI will continue coordinating security planning for upcoming global sporting events hosted on U.S. soil.

The controversy also signals that Epstein’s shadow remains long. Even years after his death, the political and emotional aftershocks are still shaping headlines — and careers.

Summary

Dani Bensky, a survivor of Jeffrey Epstein’s abuse, used her high-profile appearance at the State of the Union to demand accountability from the federal government.

She sharply criticized FBI Director Kash Patel after viral footage showed him celebrating with the U.S. men’s hockey team in Italy, questioning the optics while alleged Epstein associates remain uncharged.

The FBI insists Patel’s trip was official business tied to international security coordination, but the images sparked backlash.

Bensky also called on President Trump to release all remaining Epstein files and urged Congress to pass Virginia’s Law, which would eliminate statutes of limitations for sex trafficking crimes.