The short version
- President Trump stated he was unhappy with allegations that Guilfoyle asked a donor to pay her credit card bill in return for administrative access.
- White House Press Secretary Katie Zacharia announced the request for resignation during her first media briefing, offering no further details on the specific charges.
- Guilfoyle denied wrongdoing, calling the claims false and vowing to defend her reputation while maintaining her loyalty to the Trump administration.
The White House has formally requested that Kimberly Guilfoyle resign from her position as US ambassador to Greece, marking a significant disruption in the diplomatic corps of the second Trump administration. The decision follows intensifying scrutiny over allegations that Guilfoyle engaged in improper conduct while serving in Athens, including requests for financial support from political donors in exchange for access to high-level officials.
President Donald Trump addressed the situation directly, telling reporters he was "not happy" with the reports surrounding his former Fox News colleague. Although he acknowledged that Guilfoyle had performed well in her role, he stated unequivocally that she would no longer serve in Greece. "I didn't like what I read," Trump said, signaling a break from his previous defense of allies facing controversy.
The announcement was delivered by White House Press Secretary Katie Zacharia during her inaugural media briefing, which was notably brief. Zacharia confirmed that Guilfoyle had been asked to resign but declined to elaborate on the specific nature of the allegations or the internal deliberations that led to the decision. She described Guilfoyle as a "wonderful asset" and wished her well, adhering to standard diplomatic protocol despite the contentious circumstances.
Central to the controversy are text messages obtained by The Wall Street Journal and reviewed by BBC News, which appear to show Guilfoyle soliciting funds from Eric Deters, a longtime Trump donor. In one message dated July 2025, shortly before her Senate confirmation hearing, Guilfoyle allegedly urged Deters to pay off a $100,000 American Express bill. She reportedly assured him that the wire transfer would not be publicly visible and pressed him to complete the transaction immediately.
The allegations extend beyond financial solicitation. Reports indicate that Guilfoyle offered to leverage her connections with the IRS commissioner and the Department of Justice to assist Deters with his tax and legal issues in return for the payment. Deters has characterized the interaction as a clear quid pro quo, stating he had paid Guilfoyle approximately $300,000 over the years without receiving any favors in return.
Additional reports suggest Guilfoyle accepted improper gifts and services, including luxury travel funded by Greek business tycoons. Audio recordings reportedly capture her boasting about her influence and making threats to a host-country official regarding the potential toppling of the Greek government. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who had been pictured with Guilfoyle in Athens just weeks prior, was also reported to be displeased with the mounting allegations.
Guilfoyle has vehemently denied all accusations. In a lengthy post on social media platform X, she thanked President Trump and reaffirmed her loyalty to the "America First" movement. She described the ambassadorship as the "honor of a lifetime" and vowed to vigorously defend her name against what she termed false accusations. Her legal team has disputed the authenticity of the text messages, arguing that any financial requests were for legitimate consulting work performed prior to her appointment.
The resignation request ends a diplomatic career that began with her nomination in December 2024, shortly before Trump returned to the White House. Guilfoyle, formerly engaged to Donald Trump Jr. and ex-wife of California Governor Gavin Newsom, had become a prominent fixture in Trump's political orbit. The incident raises questions about vetting processes for political appointees and the boundaries of influence within the administration.
As Guilfoyle prepares to leave her post, the situation remains unresolved legally. While the White House has secured her departure from the diplomatic role, no criminal charges have been filed at this time. The focus now shifts to whether further investigations will be launched into the alleged misconduct and how the administration will manage the fallout from the controversy.
The episode underscores the volatile nature of political appointments in the current administration. With Guilfoyle's departure confirmed, the State Department must now identify a replacement for the Athens post while managing the diplomatic implications of the scandal. The incident has drawn significant public attention, reflecting broader concerns about accountability and ethics in high-level government positions.
Sources behind this briefing
Go to the original reporting
- BBC World↗Trump ousts Kimberly Guilfoyle as US ambassador to Greece after corruption allegations
- The Guardian US Politics↗Kimberly Guilfoyle ousted as US ambassador to Greece after alleged misconduct
- Spectrum News↗AP source: Trump, Rubio weigh firing U.S. envoy to Greece over conduct reports
