FBI Director Kash Patel faces unprecedented backlash from his own MAGA allies after using a $60 million government jet to attend a wrestling event where his country singer girlfriend performed, exposing troubling questions about accountability and taxpayer resource abuse during a government shutdown.
Story Highlights
- Patel flew FBI jet to Penn State wrestling event where girlfriend Alexis Wilkins performed national anthem
- MAGA supporters and former allies turned critical, questioning ethics and government resource misuse
- Flight occurred during government shutdown, amplifying concerns about taxpayer fund allocation
- Patel publicly defended girlfriend against “baseless attacks” while terminating senior FBI official Steven Palmer
- Controversy highlights internal MAGA movement policing and accountability standards
Government Jet Used for Personal Event During Shutdown
Kash Patel commandeered an FBI jet on October 25, 2025, flying to State College Regional Airport to attend a Penn State wrestling event where his girlfriend, country singer Alexis Wilkins, performed the national anthem. The $60 million aircraft then continued to Nashville, Wilkins’ home city, that same evening. Ex-FBI agent Kyle Seraphin exposed the trip through publicly available flight logs, sparking immediate outrage over the timing during a partial government shutdown when taxpayer resources should be preserved.
Former Allies Turn Against Trump’s FBI Pick
The backlash came primarily from MAGA-aligned commentators and former FBI agents who previously supported Patel’s appointment. These critics accused him of betraying conservative principles by treating government resources as personal conveniences while hardworking Americans faced economic uncertainty. The criticism represents a rare instance of the MAGA movement policing its own, with former allies questioning whether Patel’s actions reflect the accountability and fiscal responsibility they demand from government officials.
Patel Fires Back While Terminating FBI Official
Patel responded with a forceful public defense on November 2, 2025, condemning attacks on Wilkins as “disgustingly baseless” and “cowardly.” He emphasized her patriotism and dismissed conspiracy theories circulating about her background. Simultaneously, senior FBI official Steven Palmer was terminated on October 31, reportedly linked to Patel’s reaction to negative media coverage. The FBI maintains Patel followed proper reimbursement procedures for personal travel, though the optics remain problematic for conservatives who expect higher standards from their leaders.
Accountability Questions Expose Movement Fractures
This controversy reveals deeper tensions within the conservative movement about privilege versus accountability. While federal rules require FBI directors to use government aircraft for security reasons, the timing during a shutdown and personal nature of the trip undermined Patel’s credibility with his base. The incident demonstrates that even Trump allies face scrutiny when their actions appear to contradict core conservative values of fiscal responsibility and government restraint. These internal fractures may signal a maturing movement that demands consistency from its leaders regardless of political loyalty.
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FBI Head Kash Patel Slams ‘Attacks’ on Country Singer Girlfriend
FBI director defends country star girlfriend amid jet scandal and attacks
