Who Is Alexis Wilkins, FBI Director Kash Patel’s Girlfriend — Everything to Know About Her

It started with a jet — but quickly turned into something far more personal. Now, a closer look into her backstory shows it's just as compelling as the headlines.

FBI Director Kash Patel's girlfriend, Alexis Wilkins, has found herself at the center of a controversy over Patel's use of an FBI jet. While much of the attention has centered on his travel, interest in Wilkins herself has also grown. Here's a look at her childhood, career, love for music, patriotism, and relationship with Patel.

Wilkins has recently drawn public attention following reports that the FBI removed a senior official, Steven Palmer, in charge of aviation. The development came soon after Patel reportedly expressed frustration over the disclosure of his publicly accessible jet logs.

The logs appeared to show he had traveled to attend performances by his musician girlfriend, according to three individuals familiar with the matter.

Kash Patel and Alexis Wilkins, from a post dated October 26, 2025 | Source: Instagram/alexiswilkins

Palmer, a 27-year veteran of the FBI, became the third head of the bureau's Critical Incident Response Group to be dismissed under Patel's leadership. Sources claim Palmer's abrupt exit came shortly after Patel grew angry over reports highlighting his use of an FBI jet to travel to State College, Pennsylvania.

The flight coincided with an event where Wilkins performed the national anthem at a wrestling match. Patel reportedly viewed the attention as damaging, and sources said Palmer was told to resign or face termination, in part due to the director's frustration over the incident.

Alexis Wilkins, from a post dated October 26, 2025 | Source: Instagram/alexiswilkins

While Palmer oversaw the FBI's aviation units, Patel's flight details were already visible on public tracking sites. Patel had also shared photos from the event with Wilkins on his personal X account, further fueling coverage.

Sources close to the situation said they were puzzled as to why Palmer was held accountable for information that was already publicly accessible. Furthermore, according to Ben Williamson, the FBI's Assistant Director of Public Affairs, agency directors are classified as "required-use travelers" under federal regulations.

Kash Patel speaks as his girlfriend Alexis Wilkins (C) looks on during his swearing-in ceremony in the Indian Treaty Room in the Eisenhower Executive Office Building on February 21, 2025, in Washington, DC | Source: Getty Images

This designation, mandated by Congress, means they must use government aircraft for all travel, including personal trips, and are prohibited from flying commercially. The policy ensures that directors maintain constant access to secure communications equipment in case of an emergency.

However, the renewed scrutiny over Patel's weekend trip drew additional criticism because he had previously condemned former directors for using government jets for personal reasons.

Kash Patel leads a news conference to announce arrests tied to illegal sports betting and poker game schemes in New York City on October 23, 2025 | Source: Getty Images

Patel later addressed the controversy on his X account. He stated that while he welcomes criticism directed at him, targeting his personal life, the people around him, or those doing meaningful work is "a total disgrace."

He added, "The disgustingly baseless attacks against Alexis — a true patriot and the woman I'm proud to call my partner in life — are beyond pathetic. 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."

Alexis Wilkins, from a post dated October 26, 2025 | Source: Instagram/alexiswilkins

Patel went on to defend Wilkins, writing that attacking her was not only wrong but cowardly and a threat to their safety. He emphasized that his love for his family remains his foundation and insisted that no amount of criticism would distance him from them.

Patel and Wilkins met at a conservative ReAwaken America event in Nashville in October 2022, where their connection began to grow. Wilkins, who is 18 years younger than Patel, was drawn to his honesty, integrity, and the authenticity with which he carried himself.

She admired his strong character and shared sense of patriotism, values that deepened their bond. The two have been together since around January 2023, well before Patel was appointed as FBI Director.

Attorney General Pam Bondi swears in the new Federal Bureau of Investigation Director Kash Patel as his girlfriend Alexis Wilkins holds the Bhagavad Gita in the Indian Treaty Room in the Eisenhower Executive Office Building on February 21, 2025, in Washington, DC | Source: Getty Images

News that Patel was not single surprised many online users, as searches about his relationship status spiked during his confirmation hearing. The director has never been married, but now he and Wilkins seem committed to their future together.

The couple reportedly relocated to Washington, D.C., as Patel began his role. Wilkins, however, had no plans to step away from her music career. As she continues performing, she also accepted a position on Capitol Hill as press secretary for Representative Abe Hamadeh (R-Ariz.).

Wilkins is a multifaceted figure. Aside from being a country music artist, she is known for her work as a PragerU media personality, political commentator, and writer.

Her parents raised her with strong Christian values, teaching her about faith and God's role in their lives. That foundation has stayed with her, giving her a clear sense of purpose and helping her stay grounded in everything she does.

The singer was born in the US and spent her childhood between England and Switzerland. An only child, she was mostly raised in Fayetteville, Arkansas, before eventually settling in Nashville, Tennessee.

Her love for country music took root in Arkansas, where she was surrounded by her parents' deep appreciation for the genre. Even while living in Europe, her family kept their connection to home alive by listening to country music and having albums shipped from the US.

Though music didn't run in her family, Wilkins inherited her great-grandfather’s 1952 J45 Gibson, and it quickly became a treasured part of her journey. She started writing music at just six years old. Wilkins was inspired by an article about the coal fires in Pennsylvania and the people who used their passions to support causes they cared about.

Determined to do the same, she wrote a song to raise awareness and funds. Three years later, she traveled to Nashville to record it, her first experience in a studio. What started as a simple effort turned into her first recorded song, and from that moment, she discovered a sense of purpose and fulfillment in using her music to make a difference.

That song later supported The Nature Conservancy's "Plant a Billion Project," planting trees in the Atlantic Rainforest. The experience convinced her that music was her calling and that she could use it to bring her ideas to life.

Wilkins' debut single earned over a million streams and received praise from outlets including CMT, American Songwriter, and Today in Nashville. Her sound blends classic country influences from the '50s through the '70s with confident, soulful vocals that carry both grit and charm.

In her music career, Wilkins has opened for artists such as Lee Greenwood, Chris Young, and Parmalee. Her independently released songs, including her Veterans Day single "Stand" and her debut track "Grit," both reached the top 10 on iTunes.

Today, she says her love for country music comes from its honesty, because, for her, it's all about telling real stories rooted in truth.

Wilkins has a Bachelor of Business Administration from Belmont University, where she majored in business and political science. At the institution, she began merging her interests in music, communication, and advocacy.

She uses her platform to champion education, veteran support, and what she describes as "America-first" values. Her dedication to supporting veterans has since become one of the most meaningful aspects of her career.

Wilkins has partnered with organizations like Warrior Rounds, Operation Stand Down, and A Soldier's Child. She has performed for veterans and even pioneered the first live virtual performance program for veteran patients.

She also organized a nationwide 4th of July presentation for VA hospitals and has described her songwriting retreats with veterans as her most rewarding sessions.

A public speaker and musician, she has served as an ambassador for Turning Point USA and a contributor to The Unity Project, engaging in conversations around civic participation and national pride.

Beyond her music and advocacy, Wilkins regularly contributes to outlets like Townhall, Daily Caller, TPUSA Live Feed, and Business Insider, and appears as a guest commentator on multiple media platforms.

Through her work, she aims to encourage confidence in one's beliefs and, as she often says, "make patriotism mainstream again" without compromising personal or professional integrity.

Wilkins' creativity also stretches into other ventures. In 2021, she launched "American Westward," a lifestyle brand celebrating the western way of life and outdoor living.

When she's not recording or touring, Wilkins enjoys time with her family and dog. She also reads and collects old books, writes, or tinkers with her vintage 1989 F-150 Lariat.

Whether she's under the hood or on stage, she brings the same passion and drive, ready to share music that's genuinely and entirely her own.