Sheldon Whitehouse

“How’s that private beach club of yours that doesn’t let people who look like me in?" Patel posted.

Accusations about the club’s racial diversity have been around for years, and the club was thrust into the national spotlight in 2021 when Whitehouse defended his family’s membership at Bailey’s.

In a statement sent to The Providence Journal in 2021, the club, known also as Spouting Rock Beach Association, dismissed the allegations that it has an all-white membership.

FBI Director Kash Patel accused Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse, D-Rhode Island, of belonging to a racially exclusionary beach club April 1, reigniting an allegation that has been denied by the club, yet has followed the senator around for years.

How did we get here? On April 1, Whitehouse posted about a lawsuit filed by fired FBI agents against Patel that accuses the bureau and the Justice Department of terminating the agents because they participated in an investigation into President Donald Trump's alleged interference in the 2020 presidential election.

“Re: Patel, fourth lawsuit (he’ll have to testify); lies to Congress; jets and partying at our expense — his day will come,” Whitehouse said on social media.

In response, Patel took a hit at Whitehouse and Bailey’s Beach Club, a private beach club in Newport that some members of Whitehouse’s family belong to.

“How’s that private beach club of yours that doesn’t let people who look like me in? I’ll be the guy knocking on the front door, let’s see if you open … meanwhile this FBI crushing violent crime in Rhode Island for people of every color,” Patel, whose parents are Indian immigrants, posted hours later.

Whitehouse replied to Patel under his post, accusing him of following "lies."

"Have at it, clown. Following right-wing lies and trollery instead of facts not a great look for an FBI Director, even one as lame and discredited as you," Whitehouse responded.

What to know about Bailey's Beach Club and membership

Allegations of the club having an all-White membership have been around for years, and the club was thrust into the national spotlight in 2021 when Whitehouse defended his family’s membership at Bailey’s in statements to news website GoLocalProv.

The club did not immediately respond to a request for comment on Patel’s recent accusation. But in a statement sent to The Providence Journal in 2021, the club, also known as Spouting Rock Beach Association, dismissed the allegations that it has an all-White membership.

"Recent characterizations in the press and in other commentary about Bailey’s Beach Club are inaccurate and false,” the statement read. “Over many years, Club members and their families have included people of many racial, religious, and ethnic backgrounds from around the world who come to Newport every summer. Our membership comes from all over the globe to our small club and we welcome the diversity of view and background they bring to our community."

Whitehouse told The Providence Journal in 2021 that “there is diversity in the membership and there are non-White club members.” But he added that improving diversity is a priority.

Whitehouse also said at the time that he is not a member of the club, but that his wife and other family members are.

A phone call to the club also went unanswered, but Bailey’s is currently closed for the season. It typically opens in late May.

Contributing: Patrick Anderson, Amy Russo