Alexis Wilkins, the country singer and girlfriend of FBI Director Kash Patel, turned sharply defensive after an X user questioned whether her paid performance at the Great American State Fair’s opening night violates federal ethics rules. Wilkins said she earn
When Alexis Wilkins announced she would sing during the opening night of the Great American State Fair on Wednesday, she framed it as a patriotic honor tied to the nation’s 250th birthday.
On X, Wilkins wrote, “What a great honor to be a part of the 250th birthday of this great nation.”
But the announcement didn’t land softly. In the weeks before the fair. more prominent performers reportedly dropped out. and the buzz online was less celebratory than she hoped. Some users treated the booking like a joke—one post said Wilkins got the gig because Lara Trump. the president’s singing daughter-in-law. wasn’t available. Others leaned into a more pointed theory: that Wilkins’ relationship with FBI Director Kash Patel helped place her on the bill.
Wilkins’ response came after an X user, @sarahigdon, asked a rhetorical question that landed like a challenge: “Does having the FBI director’s girlfriend getting paid by the taxpayers to perform violate federal ethics laws?”
Wilkins answered at length, returning to what she called “false narratives and total sham accusations.” Her message was firm, and it was also personal—more a rebuttal than a clarification.
“Let’s just get a few things straight, because this is long overdue,” she wrote. “I have been a country music artist for years now. I have had a successful career in both music and commentary/strategy. People don’t get to negate that for clicks or headlines.”
She continued that she was invited to sing “on my own accord,” adding that she had been booked in other places throughout her career.
Then she addressed the core claim head-on: “I am not accepting payment for this great honor.”
Wilkins also pushed back on the idea that the celebration was financed by the public. “The Freedom250 entire celebration is on a fundraising arm; neither UFC nor any National Mall celebrations are ‘taxpayer funded’. ” she wrote. saying “you would think. as a journalist. this would be something she would know or at least look into.”.
And she made clear she expected the backlash to continue. “I’m no longer accepting false narratives and total sham accusations that diminish my hard work and earned accomplishments,” she wrote. “so please expect this kind of response to continue.”
Not all the internet focus was on ethics. Some users used sarcasm and nostalgia to say they wanted a different kind of star. One post said. “When I heard Vanilla Ice wouldn’t be participating. I had my fingers crossed she’d step in!. It’s a July 4 miracle.” Another quipped about “the FBI Director’s side piece” getting a slot because “Trump can’t get real stars. ” posting: “BREAKING: Because Trump can’t get real stars. the FBI Director’s side piece gets a slot!!!. Goddess Bless America!”.
To Wilkins and her critics. the disagreement is about the same thing—what this performance means and who it’s for—but they’re talking past each other. Wilkins insists the booking is rooted in her résumé. She is 27 and has been dating Patel. 46. for around three years after being introduced by a mutual friend in Nashville. Tennessee.
The relationship has attracted wider attention since Patel became FBI director. The scrutiny intensified in November after it was revealed that he ordered a SWAT security detail for her when she traveled. In December. Patel faced additional criticism after reports that he ordered Wilkins’ security officers to drive one of her drunk friends home after a night of partying.
Alexis Wilkins Kash Patel FBI director Freedom250 Great American State Fair federal ethics social media backlash SWAT security detail Lara Trump U.S. politics