A major online storm has formed around country artist Alexis Wilkins after she filed a Rs 44 crore (USD 5 million) defamation lawsuit against podcaster Elijah Schaffer. The dispute began on September 14, when Schaffer retweeted a thread posted by an X user about the use of female operatives in intelligence work. The original thread explained how female agents had been used to “seduce high-ranking enemy officials.”
Instead of adding a caption or explanation, Schaffer reposted the thread and attached a photo of Alexis Wilkins with her boyfriend, FBI Director Kash Patel, taken at a formal event. The post had no words, yet it immediately sparked assumptions online. Many users read the retweet as a suggestion that Wilkins was connected to foreign intelligence or involved in a “honeypot” scheme. Within hours, the post spread widely and became a topic of speculation across several platforms.
As the claim circulated, Wilkins said she started receiving online harassment and threatening messages. Her lawsuit argues that Schaffer’s retweet pushed a false and damaging narrative about her. Her legal team states that the retweet implied she compromised U.S. security through her relationship with Patel—an accusation she says is entirely untrue.
What the lawsuit says
On October 28, Wilkins filed her lawsuit in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida. According to the legal filing, she is seeking compensatory, special, and punitive damages, with the total amount left to the jury’s decision. The filing argues that Schaffer used her relationship with Patel to drive engagement on social media.
The lawsuit also states that Schaffer acted with “actual malice”. Her legal team says his retweet made it appear as though she was an Israeli spy—something she strongly denies.
The lawsuit claims that the viral spread of the post damaged Wilkins’ music career and personal life. It also notes that this is not the first time claims of espionage have been made against her. Before this, Wilkins sued former FBI agent and podcaster Kyle Seraphin for USD 5 million in Texas, after he described her as a “former Mossad agent” tied to a “honeypot” scheme involving Patel. In that earlier case, Wilkins argued the same false narrative was pushed into the public space.
In the current case, Schaffer has dismissed the lawsuit as “delusional,” saying she is targeting him because he has criticized Israel. He has not commented directly on the legal filing itself.
Who is Alexis Wilkins?
Alexis Wilkins, 27, is a Nashville-based country singer known for her performances, songwriting, and growing public presence. Alongside her music career, she comments on national issues and attends conservative-leaning public events.
Wilkins met Kash Patel in October 2022 at a ReAwaken America event. They began dating in 2023, which was before Patel became FBI Director. Since then, the two have appeared together publicly, and Wilkins has supported him at important moments, including his official swearing-in ceremony.
The couple has often attracted attention because of their 18-year age difference. Online critics regularly make remarks about this, and some have pushed conspiracy theories suggesting she is a “honeytrap” or spy. Wilkins has repeatedly denied such claims, saying their relationship is based on shared values and respect.
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How the case became a wider issue
The controversy escalated quickly because it involved a public figure, a government official, and sensitive national security claims. Although Schaffer’s retweet had no caption, many users treated it as a clear suggestion, and it soon gathered thousands of reactions.
Wilkins’ lawsuit says the rapid spread of the post had real consequences for her, leading to harassment, threats, and intense speculation about her private life. Her team argues that even a caption-free retweet can be damaging when shared by someone with a large audience.
The lawsuit is now moving through court, continuing to draw attention because of the individuals involved, the nature of the accusations, and the large damages Wilkins is seeking.