FBI Director Kash Patel, 45, has recently faced intense scrutiny—not only for his handling of the assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk but also for his personal life. Patel’s girlfriend, 26-year-old country singer Alexis Wilkins, is now responding to critics who focus on their 19-year age difference. Following Kirk’s shocking murder, Patel came under fire from both inside and outside the FBI. Four former FBI officials and two administration sources told NBC News that his actions during the crisis raised concerns, from his whereabouts the night of the shooting to what one source called his “grandstanding” after the suspect’s arrest.
“He has heard concerns about how this looks,” an administration official said. “There are a lot of shaking heads.” Patel defended himself on Fox & Friends, saying, “Could I have worded it a little better in the heat of the moment? Sure. But do I regret putting it out? Absolutely not. I was telling the world what the FBI was doing as we were doing it and I’m continuing to do that.”
While criticism of his professional actions has been fierce, it is Patel’s relationship with Nashville country singer Alexis Wilkins that has attracted widespread attention. The couple’s 19-year age gap has become a topic of online ridicule, with some even promoting conspiracy theories about their romance. Wilkins, who began dating Patel in January 2023 after meeting him at a friend’s house party, says she is unfazed by the criticism.
“There are a lot of people in this administration with age differences. There are a lot of people out there with age differences,” she told the Daily Mail. She pointed out that age gaps are not unusual in Trump’s circle. President Donald Trump, 79, is 24 years older than Melania Trump, 55. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt, 27, recently married Nicholas Riccio, 59, a 32-year age difference.
Wilkins insists their relationship feels natural to those who know them and dismisses online trolls who call her a “honeypot.” “I’ve blocked the word ‘honeypot’ from my Instagram comments, if that tells you anything,” she said. She also clarified that their relationship began before Patel transitioned from being a Trump aide to FBI Director, making claims that she is an operative implausible.
Looking ahead, Wilkins told the Daily Mail that the couple is “on a good path” when asked about a potential engagement. They have been enjoying a more normal life after the turmoil of Trump’s second term. The controversy hasn’t ended there. Wilkins has filed a defamation lawsuit against former FBI agent turned podcaster Kyle Seraphin, who suggested on his show that Patel’s relationship with her was part of a “honeypot” operation.
Seraphin claimed, without naming her, that Patel’s girlfriend is “half his age” and described her as a country singer, political commentator on Rumble, friend of John Rich through FBI Deputy Director Dan Bongino (who owns a large stake in Rumble), and also a former Mossad agent. Sarcastically, Seraphin added, “But I’m sure that’s totally just love.”
Wilkins’ lawsuit calls these claims “malicious lies” and seeks at least $5 million in damages, accusing Seraphin of spreading false stories for “self-enriching clickbait.” Outside of politics, Wilkins continues to build her music career. She spent her early years in Switzerland and England before moving to Arkansas with her family. To pursue her dream of making it in Nashville, her family eventually relocated there, where she immersed herself in the vibrant music scene.
Now a Nashville-based singer-songwriter, Wilkins has developed a loyal fanbase by blending classic country with modern influences. Her 2023 single “Quite Like Whiskey” has more than 440,000 streams on Spotify, where she has nearly 10,000 monthly listeners.
FBI Director Kash Patel, 45, has recently faced intense scrutiny—not only for his handling of the assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk but also for his personal life. Patel’s girlfriend, 26-year-old country singer Alexis Wilkins, is now responding to critics who focus on their 19-year age difference. Following Kirk’s shocking murder, Patel came under fire from both inside and outside the FBI. Four former FBI officials and two administration sources told NBC News that his actions during the crisis raised concerns, from his whereabouts the night of the shooting to what one source called his “grandstanding” after the suspect’s arrest.
“He has heard concerns about how this looks,” an administration official said. “There are a lot of shaking heads.” Patel defended himself on Fox & Friends, saying, “Could I have worded it a little better in the heat of the moment? Sure. But do I regret putting it out? Absolutely not. I was telling the world what the FBI was doing as we were doing it and I’m continuing to do that.”
While criticism of his professional actions has been fierce, it is Patel’s relationship with Nashville country singer Alexis Wilkins that has attracted widespread attention. The couple’s 19-year age gap has become a topic of online ridicule, with some even promoting conspiracy theories about their romance. Wilkins, who began dating Patel in January 2023 after meeting him at a friend’s house party, says she is unfazed by the criticism.
“There are a lot of people in this administration with age differences. There are a lot of people out there with age differences,” she told the Daily Mail. She pointed out that age gaps are not unusual in Trump’s circle. President Donald Trump, 79, is 24 years older than Melania Trump, 55. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt, 27, recently married Nicholas Riccio, 59, a 32-year age difference.
Wilkins insists their relationship feels natural to those who know them and dismisses online trolls who call her a “honeypot.” “I’ve blocked the word ‘honeypot’ from my Instagram comments, if that tells you anything,” she said. She also clarified that their relationship began before Patel transitioned from being a Trump aide to FBI Director, making claims that she is an operative implausible.
Looking ahead, Wilkins told the Daily Mail that the couple is “on a good path” when asked about a potential engagement. They have been enjoying a more normal life after the turmoil of Trump’s second term. The controversy hasn’t ended there. Wilkins has filed a defamation lawsuit against former FBI agent turned podcaster Kyle Seraphin, who suggested on his show that Patel’s relationship with her was part of a “honeypot” operation.
Seraphin claimed, without naming her, that Patel’s girlfriend is “half his age” and described her as a country singer, political commentator on Rumble, friend of John Rich through FBI Deputy Director Dan Bongino (who owns a large stake in Rumble), and also a former Mossad agent. Sarcastically, Seraphin added, “But I’m sure that’s totally just love.”
Wilkins’ lawsuit calls these claims “malicious lies” and seeks at least $5 million in damages, accusing Seraphin of spreading false stories for “self-enriching clickbait.” Outside of politics, Wilkins continues to build her music career. She spent her early years in Switzerland and England before moving to Arkansas with her family. To pursue her dream of making it in Nashville, her family eventually relocated there, where she immersed herself in the vibrant music scene.
Now a Nashville-based singer-songwriter, Wilkins has developed a loyal fanbase by blending classic country with modern influences. Her 2023 single “Quite Like Whiskey” has more than 440,000 streams on Spotify, where she has nearly 10,000 monthly listeners.
