FBI Director Kash Patel defended girlfriend Alexis Wilkins amid backlash over allegedly using an FBI jet to attend her event, calling the claims “baseless” while affirming compliance with travel rules and policy.
FBI Director Kash Patel has pushed back against a wave of criticism following reports that he used a government jet to attend his girlfriend’s performance in Pennsylvania, calling the allegations “disgustingly baseless” and politically motivated.
The controversy erupted after former FBI agent and conservative commentator Kyle Seraphin claimed on his podcast that Patel flew on a USD 60 million FBI jet to watch country singer Alexis Wilkins perform at a wrestling event at Penn State University on October 25.
“We’re in the middle of a government shutdown where they’re not even gonna pay all of the employees that work for the agency this guy heads, and this guy is jetting off to hang out with his girlfriend on our dime?” Seraphin said, sparking online outrage.
Taking to X, Patel addressed the allegations head-on, defending both his integrity and his partner. “Let me be clear: we will not be distracted by baseless rumors or the noise from uninformed internet anarchists and the fake news,” Patel said in a statement.
“Criticize me all you want. But going after my personal life or those around me is a total disgrace.” He continued, expressing frustration toward those within his own political circles who have remained silent amid the backlash.
“The disgustingly baseless attacks against Alexis — a true patriot and the woman I’m proud to call my partner in life — are beyond pathetic,” Patel wrote.
“She’s a rock-solid conservative and a country music sensation who has done more for this nation than most will in ten lifetimes. To our supposed allies staying silent — your silence is louder than the clickbait haters.”
Patel ended his remarks with a defiant message, “My love of family will always be my cornerstone, and you will never tear that down. I and this FBI will stay laser-focused on our mission — rebuilding this Bureau from the ground up.”
According to reports, Patel was angered by the leak of his flight details, which may have led to the resignation of Steven Palmer, a 27-year FBI veteran who oversaw the Bureau’s aviation unit. Patel and Wilkins have faced public scrutiny before — last year, conspiracy theories falsely claimed Wilkins was an Israeli intelligence asset trying to influence Patel over the release of Epstein-related files.
