Meet Dr Parik Patel: Kash Patel’s fake desi dad who’s breaking the internet
In the wild west of social media, few characters have captured the internet’s imagination quite like Dr Parik Patel, BA, CFA, ACCA, Esq. Known for his razor-sharp satire and unmistakable Desi dad humor, Dr Patel has built a cult following on Twitter as the ultimate financial meme lord. But when Newsweek mistook him for the real-life father of Kash Patel, Donald Trump’s nominee for FBI Director, things reached a new level of hilarity.
Who Is Dr Parik Patel?
America only accepts KASH!!!
— Dr. Parik Patel, BA, CFA, ACCA Esq. (@ParikPatelCFA) December 4, 2024
Dr Parik Patel isn’t a real person—he’s the brainchild of an anonymous Twitter user who combines financial memes with over-the-top Desi cultural stereotypes. From claiming his “son” Kashu (Kash Patel) became an FBI nominee thanks to almonds and turmeric milk to doling out parenting advice rooted in hyperbolic South Asian clichés, Dr Patel is a walking parody of every proud Desi parent.
With a fake resume that lists every imaginable qualification—BA, CFA, ACCA, Esq.—and a penchant for posting absurd but oddly relatable financial takes, Dr Patel has become a beloved figure in the Financial Twitter (FinTwit) community. His tweets are a masterclass in humour, blending investment jargon, cultural pride, and a pinch of fatherly exaggeration.
When Kashu and Vivek were small they would play together in the parking lot while I was working in the motel
Now Kashu is director of the FBI and Vivek is helping clean up the government with DOGE
So proud of my son and his friends ❤️ pic.twitter.com/ecQkqdAvVp
— Dr. Parik Patel, BA, CFA, ACCA Esq. (@ParikPatelCFA) December 1, 2024
Who Is Kash Patel?
In real life, Kash Patel is a prominent attorney and former federal prosecutor who served in several high-profile roles during the Trump administration. Born in Garden City, New York, to Gujarati immigrant parents, Kash has risen through the ranks of government, from national security roles to serving as Chief of Staff to the Acting Secretary of Defense.
Known for his involvement in the controversial “Nunes memo” and his work scrutinizing the origins of the FBI’s Russia investigation, Patel is a polarizing figure in American politics. His recent nomination as FBI Director under a potential second Trump administration has sparked both support and criticism.
The Newsweek Blunder
Things took a turn for the absurd when Newsweek, in an article on Joe Biden’s pardon of his son Hunter, cited Dr Parik Patel as Kash Patel’s father. The publication referenced one of Dr Patel’s tweets, where he jokingly claimed Biden pardoned Hunter because he feared Kash Patel’s rise as FBI Director.
The error was quickly corrected, but not before the internet exploded in laughter. Social media users couldn’t believe a parody account that regularly posts about almonds, haldi-doodh (turmeric milk), and motel work could be mistaken for an actual source. The gaffe turned into a viral moment, with countless memes and jokes flooding Twitter.
Dr Patel’s Fictional Parenting Playbook
Dr Patel’s entire persona revolves around the exaggerated pride of a Desi dad who will stop at nothing to brag about his child’s accomplishments. According to him, Kash Patel’s success stems from:
· A Steady Diet of Almonds: To “improve his brainpower.”
· Haldi-Doodh: For unmatched stamina and glowing skin.
· Hard Work: “After school, he worked in our motel, cleaned the rooms, and prepared for FBI exams. Truly inspirational!”
Many people have asked me what I did to raise such a successful son like @Kash_Patel ❤️
The answer is simple. He did lots of real hard work every day after school in my motel
And he ate lots of almonds and drank haldi-doodh (turmeric milk) every day to improve his brain pic.twitter.com/GmxgMXufVF
— Dr. Parik Patel, BA, CFA, ACCA Esq. (@ParikPatelCFA) December 1, 2024
Dr Parik Patel has done more than just make us laugh; he’s become a symbol of the internet’s ability to transform cultural archetypes into universally relatable satire. His mix of Desi dad pride, financial jargon, and absurd humor has not only broken the internet but also reminded us of the sheer unpredictability of social media.
The Newsweek gaffe, while comical, is a testament to the power of parody and the blurred lines between satire and reality in today’s digital landscape. It’s also a lighthearted reminder that, in a world of constant seriousness, sometimes we just need a good laugh—whether it’s over haldi-doodh-fueled FBI prep or the idea that almonds hold the secret to success.
As for Kash Patel, he may be making headlines as a political heavyweight, but thanks to his “fake dad,” he’ll always be “Kashu” to the internet—a hard-working motel kid who drank his way to greatness with turmeric milk.
Thumb image credit: Instagram/@fdfalliance
