FBI Chief Kash Patel faces scrutiny after allegedly using government jet for girlfriend’s Nashville performance — Did he cross the line?

Questions are swirling around FBI Director Kash Patel after allegations surfaced that he used a taxpayer-funded jet to attend his girlfriend’s singing performance at a wrestling event. According to flight records and claims by a former FBI agent, the top law enforcement official may have blurred the line between official duty and personal indulgence.

Kyle Seraphin, a former FBI agent and outspoken MAGA supporter, made the allegation on his podcast, claiming that Patel boarded a $60 million Department of Justice aircraft to attend the Real American Freestyle wrestling event at Pennsylvania State University over the weekend. The event featured a musical performance by Patel’s girlfriend, country singer Alexis Wilkins, who later shared photos of the couple together on social media.

Flight records reviewed by The Independent reportedly show a Justice Department-registered jet departing Manassas Regional Airport in Virginia on October 25 and landing at State College Regional Airport in Pennsylvania about 40 minutes later. The same aircraft then flew to Nashville, Tennessee — Wilkins’ home city — roughly two and a half hours afterward.

While the passenger manifest was not released, aviation data from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) confirmed the plane is owned by the FBI’s Washington, D.C. headquarters. The travel pattern aligns with Patel’s public appearance at the wrestling event, fueling speculation that he was aboard.

Under FBI policy, the director is mandated to use government aircraft for security and communication reasons. However, if any portion of the trip is personal, the director must reimburse the government at the rate of a standard commercial flight. Critics argue that Patel’s alleged frequent personal travel — often to visit his girlfriend or attend social functions — raises questions about transparency and accountability.

This is not the first time Patel’s travel habits have sparked debate. Lawmakers have previously accused him of overusing official aircraft for non-official engagements. Patel has repeatedly defended himself, asserting that “Congress made it mandatory” for the FBI director to travel via government aircraft for all trips, regardless of purpose.

Adding to the controversy, former FBI counterintelligence chief Frank Figliuzzi claimed earlier this year that Patel spends more time in social circles and nightclubs than in the Bureau’s command office. Reports have also suggested that Patel divides his time between Washington, D.C., and Las Vegas — a situation insiders describe as contributing to administrative “chaos” within the agency.

Further, Patel drew backlash for authorizing internal polygraph tests aimed at identifying leakers within the FBI, a move he defended as critical to maintaining internal security.

Meanwhile, Wilkins, 26, has gained attention as an emerging country singer from Nashville. Her performance at the Real American Freestyle event — co-founded by the late wrestling legend Hulk Hogan — was reportedly one of the night’s highlights.

Although the FBI has yet to comment officially on the alleged misuse of the jet, the optics have reignited discussions about how much personal travel is acceptable for America’s top law enforcement officer. Observers note that while security protocols justify some official travel, the blending of personal and professional itineraries could undermine public trust.

FAQs

Q1: Did Kash Patel actually use a government jet for personal travel?
Flight data suggest a Justice Department-registered plane followed Patel’s likely route, but the FBI has not confirmed his presence on board.

Q2: Why is the FBI director required to use official aircraft?
For security reasons and to maintain access to classified communication systems during travel.

Q3: Who is Alexis Wilkins?
Wilkins is a Nashville-based country singer and Patel’s girlfriend. She performed at the Real American Freestyle wrestling event where Patel was seen.

Q4: Has Patel faced criticism for similar issues before?
Yes. Lawmakers and internal critics have accused Patel of using government planes for personal engagements in the past.

Q5: What has Patel said about the allegations?
He maintains that Congress requires him to use government aircraft and that all travel follows official policy.