FBI Director’s Girlfriend Sues MS NOW for Defamation
Alexis Wilkins lawsuit MS NOW defamation
Alexis Wilkins, the partner of FBI Director Kash Patel, has initiated a defamation and false-light lawsuit against the cable network MS NOW (formerly MSNBC) and two of its reporters, Carol Leonnig and Ken Dilanian. Filed in the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Tennessee, the 16-page complaint centers on a December 2025 report that alleged Director Patel ordered members of Wilkins’ security detail to transport her friends home following nights of partying in Nashville.
The lawsuit alleges that MS NOW relied on “sham anonymous sources” to disseminate knowingly false information. Central to Wilkins’ claim is a contradiction in the network’s timeline: the report alleged an incident occurred in the spring of 2025, but the complaint notes that Wilkins was not assigned a protective detail until November 2025, a fact MS NOW itself had previously reported. Furthermore, Wilkins’ legal team asserts that the network’s characterization of her as being “intoxicated” or “partying” is demonstrably false, emphasizing that she does not consume alcohol.
Wilkins’ complaint argues that the network’s framing of their sources as “inside accounts” was a calculated attempt to lend credibility to fabricated allegations and that the report caused significant reputational harm. The filing seeks damages of no less than $75,000, arguing that the outlet acted with actual malice or, at a minimum, negligence. MS NOW has maintained its stance, issuing a statement that it “stands firmly behind” its reporting, while declining to provide further comment on the ongoing litigation.
This legal action is the latest in a series of confrontations between Director Patel’s inner circle and various media organizations. Director Patel himself is currently involved in a high-profile $250 million defamation lawsuit against The Atlantic over claims regarding his professional conduct and alleged alcohol use. These disputes have highlighted growing tensions between the administration and major news outlets, with recent reports also detailing FBI investigations into reporters who have scrutinized the security arrangements surrounding Wilkins. As the legal proceedings move forward, the court will be tasked with evaluating whether the network’s use of anonymous sourcing met the required journalistic standards for accuracy. For more information on this legal challenge, follow ongoing coverage from Reason.
