FBI Director Kash Patel, 45, has recently faced intense scrutiny—not only for his handling of the assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk but also for his personal life. Patel’s girlfriend, 26-year-old country singer Alexis Wilkins, is now responding to critics who focus on their 19-year age difference. Following Kirk’s shocking murder, Patel came under fire from both inside and outside the FBI. Four former FBI officials and two administration sources told NBC News that his actions during the crisis raised concerns, from his whereabouts the night of the shooting to what one source called his “grandstanding” after the suspect’s arrest. “He has heard concerns about how this looks,” an administration official said. “There are a lot of shaking heads.” Patel defended himself on Fox & Friends, saying, “Could I have worded it a little better in the heat of the moment? Sure. But do I regret putting it out? Absolutely not. I was telling the world what the FBI was doing as we were doing it and I’m continuing to…