The White House has requested that Kimberly Guilfoyle resign from her post as US ambassador to Greece, according to an announcement by press secretary Katie Zacharia. The decision follows a week of intensifying scrutiny regarding allegations that Guilfoyle sought financial favors from a donor in exchange for political access.
Trump, speaking to reporters earlier in the week, stated he was “not happy” with the reports but acknowledged Guilfoyle had performed well in her duties. “She went to Greece, she was doing a good job, but we didn’t like what we were reading,” the president said. He also clarified that despite Guilfoyle’s past relationship with his son, Donald Trump Jr., she was not considered family, and he did not speak with her prior to the resignation request.
Zacharia, making her first press briefing which lasted only 14 minutes, confirmed the administration’s stance without elaborating on specific details. “She has been a wonderful asset to the team, and we wish her well,” Zacharia said.
Guilfoyle, a 57-year-old former Fox News host and ex-wife of California Governor Gavin Newsom, responded with a statement on the social media platform X. She characterized the ambassadorship as the “honour of a lifetime” and vowed to fight the accusations. “I intend to vigorously defend my name, my reputation, and my integrity,” she wrote, denying any wrongdoing.
The controversy centers on text messages and audio recordings obtained by The Wall Street Journal and reviewed by the BBC. The texts allegedly show Guilfoyle asking Eric Deters, a long-time Trump ally, to pay off her substantial credit card bill, with one message noting that wiring funds to American Express “won’t show up anywhere.” Another message, sent shortly before her Senate confirmation hearing in July, pleaded for immediate action.
Guilfoyle’s legal team has disputed the authenticity of the texts, arguing that the requests were for payment owed for speeches and consulting work she performed for Deters prior to her diplomatic appointment. However, additional reports suggest she boasted about connections to Greek business tycoons who funded luxury travel and privately suggested to an official in Athens that the US could potentially overthrow the Greek government.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who traveled to Athens with Guilfoyle last week, reportedly grew dissatisfied with the mounting allegations. Guilfoyle was originally nominated for the Athens post in December 2024, shortly before Trump’s return to the presidency. Her tenure has now ended amidst these ethical concerns.
It’s interesting that Trump admitted she did a good job but still asked for her resignation. Sounds like politics as usual, unfortunately.
She denies wrongdoing, but the text messages are damning. I wonder how many more revelations are yet to come out.
Rubio was apparently not happy either. With evidence this specific, ‘fighting the accusations’ might be an uphill battle for her.
Did she really suggest overthrowing a government? That takes boldness I didn’t expect from a diplomat. What happens next?
This is quite a fallout. Asking for credit card bills to be paid via Amex seems like a clear ethical breach, regardless of her legal team’s claims.