A spokesperson of the outlet that claimed Alexis Wilkins was holding another man’s hand later clarified that she was holding a security officer’s hand.

A media report, which was later edited, claimed that Alexis Wilkins held someone’s hand who was not Kash Patel (Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)

WASHINGTON, DC: Days after the White House Correspondents’ Dinner on Saturday, April 25, erupted in chaos following the sound of gunshots, the girlfriend of FBI Director Kash Patel denounced the rumors that she held someone else’s hand when the hall plunged into mayhem.

The annual dinner to celebrate journalism was disrupted after a gunman fired multiple shots near the security screening area, prompting immediate evacuation.

‘I was holding Kash’s hand,’ says Alexis Wilkins

She called the portal sick after it claimed that musician  Alexis Wilkins was seen holding hands with someone who was not Kash Patel.

As per a report by The Daily Mail, Wilkins called the New York Times ‘sick’ for reporting that she was spotted holding hands with someone who wasn’t Patel inside a private holding room after shots rang out at the event.
Kyle Seraphin slams Kash Patel over jet use during shutdown (X @Alexis Wilkins)
The outlet later edited the report.

“I was only ever holding Kash’s hand; anything to suggest otherwise is false. It is sick for the New York Times to have used this time after a perceived active shooting as a political tool. They will stop at nothing to push a narrative out that’s damaging to people they’ve determined they dislike,” Wilkins told Daily Mail.

Wilkins held security officer’s hand

“A Times journalist on the scene of the Correspondents’ Dinner accurately reported during the breaking news events of the evening, including Ms. Wilkins’ sheltering in a room while holding a security officer’s hand,” a NYT spokesperson told The Independent.

FBI director Kash Patel talks on the phone during the White House Correspondents Dinner, Saturday, April 25, 2026, in Washington (AP Photo/Tom Brenner)
The spokesperson further added that the reporting was part of a liveblog by the NYT on Saturday night, which was later edited for readers’ context.

White House Correspondents’ Dinner shooting

The dinner hall was rocked with the sound of gunshots soon after Trump joined other guests for the annual correspondents’ dinner at the Washington Hilton building.
WASHINGTON, DC – APRIL 25: (L-R) Melania Trump and U.S. President Donald Trump attend as Mentalist Oz Pearlman hosts The White House Correspondents Dinner at the Washington Hilton on April 25, 2026, in Washington, DC (Kevin Mazur/Getty Images for OP)
A 31-year-old teacher, Cole Allen, stormed the security checkpoint, engaging in a firefight with security personnel, hitting one of the service agents with a bullet. Later during the press briefing, Trump confirmed that the wounded serviceman was in great shape as the bulletproof vest had done its job.

The gunman was immediately taken into custody, and the real motive behind the shooting is a matter of investigation, which is underway.

Cole Allen faces charges for attempting to assassinate the president

The criminal complaint charges Allen with attempted assassination of the president, transportation of a firearm with the intent to commit a felony, and discharge of a firearm during a crime of violence.

Cole Allen, the WHCD shooting suspect, faces charges for attempting to assassinate the President of the United States (TruthSocial/@realDonaldTrump)
After the suspect, Cole Allen, appeared for his initial hearing at the federal court on Monday, April 27, top officials of the Department of Justice held a press conference announcing that the gunman will face additional charges.