FBI chief Kash Patel gets engaged to longtime girlfriend, 19 years his junior

FBI Director Kash Patel is engaged to his longtime partner, country singer Alexis Wilkins, with the couple announcing their engagement on Sunday.

Wilkins, 27, shared the news on social media with a photograph showing off her diamond engagement ring as she stood beside Patel, 46. The couple first met at a friend's event in Nashville in 2022 and began dating the following year. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Alexis Wilkins (@alexiswilkins)

“Went and got the law involved,” she captioned the image on Instagram.

Patel later reposted the announcement, adding heart and diamond-ring emojis.

Their relationship has attracted considerable attention since Patel took office in February 2025, particularly over questions surrounding his use of government aircraft and public appearances with Wilkins.

Earlier this year, the New York Times reported that Patel and Wilkins travelled from Washington to Philadelphia in May 2025 aboard an FBI Gulfstream V before attending a country music concert. The report said the couple watched George Strait and Chris Stapleton from a private suite that reportedly cost between $35,000 and $50,000.

FBI personnel and security staff were reportedly on duty till late at night while waiting for the pair to leave the venue.

In a similar incident in November 2025, former FBI agent and conservative commentator Kyle Seraphin said that Patel had used an FBI aircraft to attend one of Wilkins' performances at Penn State University.

The FBI defended Patel's use of bureau aircraft, saying he is required to travel on FBI planes for security reasons, including during personal trips.

The bureau also said Patel reimburses the government in advance for non-official travel and that his personal use of the aircraft complies with policy.

Patel himself hit back at the criticism, calling the allegations politically motivated and defending Wilkins.

“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 said in a statement posted on X.

He described Wilkins as a conservative and country music performer and criticised what he called “clickbait” attacks against the couple.

Patel also faced criticism in December after appearing on a podcast with Wilkins to discuss their relationship while law enforcement agencies were conducting a nationwide search for the suspect in the Brown University shooting.

The appearance drew criticism from lawmakers, former FBI personnel and political opponents, who questioned the timing of the interview as the manhunt was continuing.- Ends