Kimberly Guilfoyle Resigns as U.S. Ambassador to Greece Amid Misconduct Allegations
Kimberly Guilfoyle resigns as U.S. ambassador to Greece after allegations of misconduct and a formal White House request.
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U.S. Ambassador to Greece Kimberly Guilfoyle resigned from her position on Tuesday following reports of alleged misconduct. The White House, through press secretary Katie Zacharia, confirmed they had asked Guilfoyle to step down amid mounting controversy.
White House Requests Guilfoyle’s Resignation
During her first press briefing Tuesday morning, White House Press Secretary Katie Zacharia stated, “We have asked Ambassador Guilfoyle to resign. She has been a wonderful asset to the team and we wish her well.” Later that day, a White House official confirmed they had received Guilfoyle’s formal resignation.
Guilfoyle announced the end of her tenure in a social media post, calling it “the honor of my lifetime to serve the United States of America.” She added, “God bless President Trump, God bless our incredible diplomats and service members, and God bless the United States of America.”
Allegations and Controversies Surrounding Guilfoyle
The resignation follows allegations that Guilfoyle offered a Trump donor access to top administration officials in exchange for cash payments. Eric Deters, a Trump donor and former lawyer, accused Guilfoyle of asking him to pay her $100,000 credit card bill in July 2025, just days before her Senate confirmation hearing. Deters provided ABC News with messages he says were exchanged with Guilfoyle concerning the payment.
The Wall Street Journal initially reported these accusations, framing them as a quid pro quo arrangement. Guilfoyle’s attorney responded to ABC News, stating the text messages “have not been authenticated.” When pressed on whether Guilfoyle disputed the authenticity, the attorney declined to comment, citing the lack of analysis of the original texts.
Furthermore, Guilfoyle’s attorneys claim that Deters owed her approximately $150,000 for speeches and consulting work predating her ambassador nomination. They stated, “That is what Mr. Deters now calls a ‘quid pro quo’: a delinquent client being asked to pay an overdue bill.” Deters denies owing any money to Guilfoyle.
Additional controversies include reports that Guilfoyle boasted about private jet trips funded by Greek businessmen, according to a Wall Street Journal article earlier this week. A spokesperson for the U.S. Embassy in Athens defended Guilfoyle, stating she “faithfully followed State Department ethics and gift reporting guidelines.”
President Trump’s Response and Political Fallout
President Donald Trump sought to distance himself from Guilfoyle on Tuesday. He told ABC News Senior Political Correspondent Rachel Scott, “She wasn’t a member of my family. She dated my son a long time ago.” Trump also stated, “we didn’t like what we were reading.”
Guilfoyle, who was a prominent surrogate for Trump’s campaign and attended various political and family events including Tiffany Trump’s wedding, had previously been engaged to Donald Trump Jr. The couple ended their engagement in late 2024 after several years of dating.
Asked about firing Guilfoyle on Monday, Trump said, “We’re looking at it. Yeah, we’re not happy.” He later added, “I didn’t speak to her. No, she will not be there. I didn’t like what I read.”
Investigations and Calls for Removal
The State Department’s Office of Inspector General is investigating allegations of misconduct by Guilfoyle, according to two officials who spoke with ABC News. Although the precise next steps remain unclear, information gathered by the OIG could be shared with the Department of Justice for further action.
In addition, Rep. Gregory Meeks, the top Democrat on the House Foreign Affairs Committee, called for Guilfoyle’s removal last week amid the swirling reports.
Guilfoyle denied the allegations on social media, stating, “These allegations are false, and I intend to vigorously defend my name, my reputation, and my integrity. I will not allow false accusations to define my decades of public service.”
Kimberly Guilfoyle had served as ambassador for nearly a year. Her resignation marks the end of a turbulent tenure marked by controversy and scrutiny.
As investigations continue, the White House and State Department face ongoing pressure to address the issues raised by her conduct and the broader implications for diplomatic appointments under President Trump’s administration.
