White House asks Ambassador Guilfoyle to resign amid allegations

The White House has asked Kimberly Guilfoyle to resign as U.S. ambassador to Greece. The announcement was made by new White House press secretary Katie Zacharia during her first briefing on Tuesday. Zacharia stated, "We have asked Ambassador Guilfoyle to resign. She has been a wonderful asset to the team, and we wish her well."

The decision follows a series of reports regarding Guilfoyle’s conduct, including allegations of financial impropriety and workplace issues. It came one day after President Donald Trump told reporters he was "looking at" removing Guilfoyle, adding, "We're not happy."

Financial Allegations and Denials

The scrutiny intensified after The Wall Street Journal reported that Guilfoyle asked Trump donor Eric Deters to pay off a $100,000 American Express bill shortly before her Senate confirmation hearing in July 2025. According to the report, Guilfoyle urged Deters to wire the money directly to American Express, stating the transaction would not leave a paper trail, while offering to help him gain access to senior Trump administration officials. Deters stated he never made the payment.

Guilfoyle’s attorney, Jesse Binnall, disputed the authenticity of the messages. Binnall said Guilfoyle had been paid to speak at events before her nomination and "was owed a balance for traveling to and supporting these patriotic events." Her lawyers, David Schwartz and Jesse Binnall, also denied allegations regarding travel on private planes, stating she "sought, obtained and followed State Department guidance and followed the Department’s travel regulations."

Deters told MS NOW that the request "absolutely was a quid pro quo" and said he had paid Guilfoyle about $300,000 over the years without receiving "one favor."

Workplace and Diplomatic Conduct

Reports also detailed allegations concerning Guilfoyle’s treatment of embassy staff and her interactions with foreign officials. Sources described a hostile workplace where Guilfoyle allegedly threatened to fire employees and demoted security detail members over minor incidents, including an officer who failed to answer a 4 a.m. request for ice while she was vacationing in Mykonos.

Additionally, The Wall Street Journal reported that Guilfoyle promoted the interests of Greek construction and energy company Aktor Group and allowed its registered lobbyist, Christos Marafatsos, to accompany her to private diplomatic meetings. The report also stated that Guilfoyle suggested at a dinner with Greek officials that the U.S. would undermine their government. Greece's foreign minister subsequently said there was no need to summon Guilfoyle for an explanation because the country's energy minister denied that any threat had been made.

The State Department's Office of Inspector General reportedly opened an investigation into allegations involving Guilfoyle's treatment of embassy employees, private travel, acceptance of gifts, and relationships with business interests, according to the Daily Mail. The inspector general's office declined to confirm or deny the existence of an investigation.

Political Reactions

Secretary of State Marco Rubio initially defended Guilfoyle, stating, "Our ambassador has been a strong ambassador here." However, he later challenged reporters over their reliance on unnamed sources, saying, "You guys walk around thinking that because some source told you something and you reported it, it's the gospel. It's not the gospel."

Vice President JD Vance addressed the controversy by cautioning against rushing to judgment. "Let's actually see what the facts are. Let's see what the truth is," Vance told reporters. "And obviously, if there was something bad that happened, then people have to suffer consequences for it."

Congressional Democrats, including Sen. Jeanne Shaheen and Rep. Gregory Meeks, called for a review of Guilfoyle's conduct. Meeks urged her removal if the allegations were substantiated.

Why it matters

The request for resignation marks the end of Guilfoyle's tenure, which lasted less than a year. It highlights the administration's response to allegations of misconduct involving high-profile political appointees. The case underscores the scrutiny faced by ambassadors regarding financial dealings, workplace behavior, and diplomatic protocol.

---

Sources

• foxnews.com: White House asks Kimberly Guilfoyle to resign as Greece ambassador | Fox News
• theguardian.com: Kimberly Guilfoyle asked to resign as ambassador after reports she asked Trump donor to pay bill | Trump administration | The Guardian
• ft.com: Subscribe to read
• washingtonexaminer.com: Trump asked Kimberly Guilfoyle to resign: Katie Zacharia

This article was drafted with AI assistance and checked against the sources above. Company claims are reported as claims. Cover image is AI-generated.