FBI Director Kash Patel is being criticised for defending his girlfriend and hitting back at critics who questioned his use of a $60 million FBI jet for personal travel. This comes right after Bloomberg reported that Patel has fired a veteran FBI official overseeing the agency’s aviation program, following negative media and public response.
Patel’s post came after he was accused of misusing the agency’s aircraft to attend a wrestling event in Pennsylvania, where his girlfriend, country singer Alexis Wilkins, performed the national anthem. The photo that Patel himself reposted went viral online, with many accusing him of hypocrisy and poor judgment.
Kash Patel defends his girlfriend
In his lengthy post, Patel praised the FBI’s ongoing work and criticised those targeting him and Wilkins. “I am proud of the work of the FBI. We’re taking violent criminals off the streets in record numbers, crushing the fentanyl crisis, dismantling cartels, saving children, hunting down terrorists — and so much more,” he wrote.
Patel dismissed the allegations as “baseless rumours” spread by “uninformed internet anarchists and fake news,” adding that he refused to be distracted by the noise.
Patel said he is ok with people criticising him, but drew the line at attacks on his team and loved ones. “The disgustingly baseless attacks against Alexis, a true patriot and the woman I’m proud to call my partner in life, are beyond pathetic,” he wrote. “She is a rock-solid conservative and a country music sensation who has done more for this nation than most will in ten lifetimes. I’m so blessed she’s in my life.”
The Trump-appointed FBI director said targeting Wilkins was “cowardly” and could jeopardise safety. “My love of family will always be my cornerstone, and you will never tear that down or keep me from them,” he wrote.
He also repeated the claims of reforming the FBI from within. “I and this FBI will stay laser-focused on our mission and continue the reform we promised, rebuilding this Bureau from the ground up,” he added.
While concluding his X post, Patel took a jab at those he expected to support him but didn’t. “And to our supposed allies staying silent, your silence is louder than the clickbait haters,” he said, hinting at disappointment with some within his own political circle.
Candace Owens slams Patel
Like many, conservative political commentator and former Turning Point USA members, Candace Owens slammed Patel, calling his defence of his girlfriend a “non-serious” thing to do, especially as the director of the FBI. In a post on X, Owens wrote, “I don’t care about Alexis one way or another.” The former TPUSA member added that the real issue was the head of the FBI tweeting in defence of his girlfriend. “Not a wife—but a girlfriend,” Owens emphasised. “We are just not a serious nation whatsoever,” she added.
While Patel’s defence of his girlfriend was a personal note, many online saw it as a tone-deaf move. Critics slammed him for changing the narrative by bringing Wilkins into the picture. “He’s deflecting instead of answering simple accountability questions,” one user wrote. Another added, “Nobody’s attacking his family — we’re just asking why an FBI plane is being used for private appearances.”
Occupy Democrats, the X handle with 712.5K followers also took a jab at Patel’s girfriend, calling her a “a wannabe country music star,” whose, “sole claim to fame is wasting our money while supporting a deeply crooked FBI Director as he continues to cover up the Jeffrey Epstein list.”
“In other words, Patel jetted in for a concert date night with his girlfriend (burning through taxpayer-funded fuel) and then the two of them hopped back on the plane to head back to her place,” the post read further.
“You’ve gotta be kidding me with this post. You’re defending a girlfriend… What is this sophomore year in high school? Do you’re freaking job like you promised you’d do before taking on the role. Where is the Epstein list? Why haven’t you arrested any clients?,” another social media user wrote.
Three sources confirmed to Bloomberg that Steven Palmer, a veteran FBI official, was fired right after the controversy erupted online. While the official reason behind the suspension has not been determined, sources say that Patel grew furious after the negative press and, in response, fired the third head of the FBI’s Critical Incident Response Group (CIRG).