Kash Patel built his MAGA-era reputation as a relentless crusader against the so-called deep state — a loyalist who claimed the FBI was hiding the truth about Jeffrey Epstein’s elite connections.
But now, Patel is at the centre of an unproven theory that has consumed corners of the Trump-aligned internet: that he himself has been compromised.
The theory — dubbed the “Kash Patel honeypot” narrative — suggests that Patel’s 26-year-old girlfriend, country singer and conservative media personality Alexis Wilkins, may be part of a foreign espionage operation. More specifically, some conspiracy theorists claim she could be a Mossad “honeypot” sent to influence the now-FBI Director.
There is no evidence supporting the claim, but that hasn’t stopped it from gaining traction among Trump’s disillusioned supporters — especially after the anticlimactic unsealing of the Epstein files last week.
From hunter to hunted
In 2022 and 2023, Patel was one of the loudest voices demanding the FBI release the names of Epstein’s alleged high-profile co-conspirators. He often framed the investigation as a litmus test for the integrity of the American justice system, accusing federal agencies of shielding the elite. “Put on your big boy pants,” he told the FBI in one 2022 interview, calling the Epstein files “the ultimate proof of elite criminality.”
But now, two years after being appointed FBI Director by Donald Trump in 2025, Patel’s tone has shifted dramatically. He refers to the Epstein case as “a matter closed by due process” and says there is “no further actionable intelligence” in the documents.
For conspiracy theorists and segments of the MAGA movement that once idolised him, this reversal has raised red flags — and fed suspicion that Patel may have “gone soft” on the very establishment he once opposed.
Then came the personal angle: a romantic relationship with a much younger, visibly public figure in the conservative ecosystem.
It began with a July 10 post by an anonymous X account, @KremlinTrolls, which invoked Cold War-era intelligence tactics and suggested that Wilkins was acting as a “honeypot.”
In espionage parlance, a honeypot is someone who seduces a target to gather information or compromise them — a trope used by agencies like the KGB and Mossad.
Fuel was added by the age gap — nearly 20 years — and Wilkins’ connection to PragerU, a conservative media outlet whose CEO, Marissa Streit, is a former officer in Israeli military intelligence.
The theory leaps from Streit’s biography to allege a hidden recruitment pipeline linking Wilkins to a larger covert network. The shift in Patel’s rhetoric on Epstein — from defiance to bureaucratic closure — is seen by some as further circumstantial “evidence.”
None of this is backed by documents, leaks, or investigative reporting. But for a movement built on revelations and retribution, the lack of closure in the Epstein case has created a vacuum — and the honeypot theory is one way to fill it.
Wilkins responds: “Insanely ridiculous”
Wilkins, who has a growing presence both as a musician and a commentator for PragerU, publicly addressed the speculation this week, without naming the accounts behind the theory.
“I’ve spent my career saying no to anything that would compromise my character and working to restore America,” she wrote on social media.
“It’s disappointing to see people with no real contribution to political discourse spin ridiculous conspiracy theories out of thin air. These accusations are obviously insanely ridiculous and coming from accounts that are farming because their engagement dried up after Trump’s win.”
In a follow-up post, she added:
“I would encourage anyone interested to actually research the facts of my life — they’re readily available. My happy relationship, my work, my Christian faith, and my integrity speak for themselves.”
What’s PragerU got to do with it?
Founded in 2009 by Dennis Prager and Allen Estrin, Prager University is not a university at all — it’s a conservative digital media organisation producing short-form videos on topics ranging from economics and foreign policy to culture wars and “woke” politics. Its current CEO, Marissa Streit, served in Israeli military intelligence before moving to the U.S.
While her biography has never before raised questions in mainstream circles, conspiracy theorists are now citing it to construct an elaborate narrative linking PragerU’s leadership to Israeli spycraft, and Wilkins to Patel.
The honeypot claim isn't about Alexis Wilkins alone — it reflects a broader sense of betrayal. For years, figures like Patel, Dan Bongino, and even Pam Bondi suggested the Epstein case would expose the world’s most powerful criminals. Bondi hinted she had access to the client list. Bongino insisted Epstein “was murdered.” Patel demanded to know “who the pedophiles are.”
When the actual files were unsealed last week, there were no new names. No new scandals. Just travel receipts, redacted witness depositions, and statements that aligned with what the Justice Department has said for years.
For the MAGA faithful, that wasn’t just disappointing — it was destabilising. Years of expectations and online prophecy came crashing down. And when the villains promised never appeared, some turned inward, looking for traitors among their own.
The psychology of blame
Conspiracy theories flourish in moments of uncertainty — especially when expectations are left unmet.
The honeypot theory offers a convenient target: a young, visible, Christian woman in a high-profile relationship with a controversial political figure. It also taps into old spy tropes and nationalist suspicion of foreign influence.
But as of now, there’s no evidence Wilkins is anything other than what she says she is: a conservative Christian musician in a relationship with a powerful man in the MAGA world.
And that may be the final twist in this saga — that in the absence of real revelations from the Epstein files, the movement has turned its lens on itself.
(With inputs from ToI)
But now, Patel is at the centre of an unproven theory that has consumed corners of the Trump-aligned internet: that he himself has been compromised.
The theory — dubbed the “Kash Patel honeypot” narrative — suggests that Patel’s 26-year-old girlfriend, country singer and conservative media personality Alexis Wilkins, may be part of a foreign espionage operation. More specifically, some conspiracy theorists claim she could be a Mossad “honeypot” sent to influence the now-FBI Director.
There is no evidence supporting the claim, but that hasn’t stopped it from gaining traction among Trump’s disillusioned supporters — especially after the anticlimactic unsealing of the Epstein files last week.
From hunter to hunted
In 2022 and 2023, Patel was one of the loudest voices demanding the FBI release the names of Epstein’s alleged high-profile co-conspirators. He often framed the investigation as a litmus test for the integrity of the American justice system, accusing federal agencies of shielding the elite. “Put on your big boy pants,” he told the FBI in one 2022 interview, calling the Epstein files “the ultimate proof of elite criminality.”
But now, two years after being appointed FBI Director by Donald Trump in 2025, Patel’s tone has shifted dramatically. He refers to the Epstein case as “a matter closed by due process” and says there is “no further actionable intelligence” in the documents.
For conspiracy theorists and segments of the MAGA movement that once idolised him, this reversal has raised red flags — and fed suspicion that Patel may have “gone soft” on the very establishment he once opposed.
Then came the personal angle: a romantic relationship with a much younger, visibly public figure in the conservative ecosystem.
It began with a July 10 post by an anonymous X account, @KremlinTrolls, which invoked Cold War-era intelligence tactics and suggested that Wilkins was acting as a “honeypot.”
In espionage parlance, a honeypot is someone who seduces a target to gather information or compromise them — a trope used by agencies like the KGB and Mossad.
Fuel was added by the age gap — nearly 20 years — and Wilkins’ connection to PragerU, a conservative media outlet whose CEO, Marissa Streit, is a former officer in Israeli military intelligence.
The theory leaps from Streit’s biography to allege a hidden recruitment pipeline linking Wilkins to a larger covert network. The shift in Patel’s rhetoric on Epstein — from defiance to bureaucratic closure — is seen by some as further circumstantial “evidence.”
None of this is backed by documents, leaks, or investigative reporting. But for a movement built on revelations and retribution, the lack of closure in the Epstein case has created a vacuum — and the honeypot theory is one way to fill it.
I would not be surprised if this is true:
— KT "Special MI6 Operation" (@KremlinTrolls) July 10, 2025
Kash Patel's girlfriend Alexis Wilkins is allegedly a Mossad agent. She's 20 years younger than him and is accused of being a honeypot.
It's in her interest to suppress the Epstein files to protect very powerful people. pic.twitter.com/WpA2cNBKwN
Wilkins responds: “Insanely ridiculous”
Wilkins, who has a growing presence both as a musician and a commentator for PragerU, publicly addressed the speculation this week, without naming the accounts behind the theory.
“I’ve spent my career saying no to anything that would compromise my character and working to restore America,” she wrote on social media.
“It’s disappointing to see people with no real contribution to political discourse spin ridiculous conspiracy theories out of thin air. These accusations are obviously insanely ridiculous and coming from accounts that are farming because their engagement dried up after Trump’s win.”
In a follow-up post, she added:
“I would encourage anyone interested to actually research the facts of my life — they’re readily available. My happy relationship, my work, my Christian faith, and my integrity speak for themselves.”
What’s PragerU got to do with it?
Founded in 2009 by Dennis Prager and Allen Estrin, Prager University is not a university at all — it’s a conservative digital media organisation producing short-form videos on topics ranging from economics and foreign policy to culture wars and “woke” politics. Its current CEO, Marissa Streit, served in Israeli military intelligence before moving to the U.S.
While her biography has never before raised questions in mainstream circles, conspiracy theorists are now citing it to construct an elaborate narrative linking PragerU’s leadership to Israeli spycraft, and Wilkins to Patel.
The honeypot claim isn't about Alexis Wilkins alone — it reflects a broader sense of betrayal. For years, figures like Patel, Dan Bongino, and even Pam Bondi suggested the Epstein case would expose the world’s most powerful criminals. Bondi hinted she had access to the client list. Bongino insisted Epstein “was murdered.” Patel demanded to know “who the pedophiles are.”
When the actual files were unsealed last week, there were no new names. No new scandals. Just travel receipts, redacted witness depositions, and statements that aligned with what the Justice Department has said for years.
For the MAGA faithful, that wasn’t just disappointing — it was destabilising. Years of expectations and online prophecy came crashing down. And when the villains promised never appeared, some turned inward, looking for traitors among their own.
The psychology of blame
Conspiracy theories flourish in moments of uncertainty — especially when expectations are left unmet.
The honeypot theory offers a convenient target: a young, visible, Christian woman in a high-profile relationship with a controversial political figure. It also taps into old spy tropes and nationalist suspicion of foreign influence.
But as of now, there’s no evidence Wilkins is anything other than what she says she is: a conservative Christian musician in a relationship with a powerful man in the MAGA world.
And that may be the final twist in this saga — that in the absence of real revelations from the Epstein files, the movement has turned its lens on itself.
(With inputs from ToI)
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