Kimberly Guilfoyle Faces Potential Dismissal as Ambassador Amid Misconduct Allegations
President Trump and Secretary of State Rubio are reportedly considering the removal of U.S. Ambassador to Greece Kimberly Guilfoyle following reports of alleged misconduct and a donor bailout request.
U.S. Ambassador to Greece Kimberly Guilfoyle is reportedly facing potential dismissal as President Donald Trump and Secretary of State Marco Rubio are considering action amid mounting allegations over her conduct. A senior U.S. official told The Associated Press that Trump and Rubio are "extremely pissed off" by Guilfoyle’s reported behavior and are weighing her removal, with a decision anticipated this week.
Guilfoyle, who was previously engaged to Donald Trump Jr., came under scrutiny after The Wall Street Journal reported that she allegedly asked Trump donor Eric Deters to pay off a $100,000 American Express bill shortly before her Senate confirmation hearing. According to messages reviewed by the Journal, Guilfoyle urged Deters to wire the money directly to American Express, stating the transaction would not leave a paper trail, while offering him access to senior Trump administration officials. Deters reportedly stated he never made the payment, and Guilfoyle's attorney, Jesse Binnall, has disputed the authenticity of these messages.
These allegations follow an earlier Journal investigation that detailed concerns about Guilfoyle's conduct in Greece, including claims that she promoted the interests of the Greek construction and energy company Aktor Group and allowed its registered lobbyist, Christos Marafatsos, to accompany her to private diplomatic meetings. The Journal also reported that Guilfoyle allegedly suggested at a dinner with Greek officials that the U.S. would undermine their government, citing political developments in Romania. Greece's foreign minister subsequently stated that there was no need to summon Guilfoyle for an explanation, as the country's energy minister denied any threat was made.
Furthermore, the State Department's Office of Inspector General has reportedly opened an investigation into allegations concerning Guilfoyle's treatment of embassy employees, private travel, acceptance of gifts, and relationships with business interests. Sources have described a hostile workplace environment, with claims that Guilfoyle allegedly threatened to fire employees and demoted members of her security detail for minor incidents. The inspector general's office has declined to confirm or deny the existence of an investigation, and Binnall stated that "any implication of wrongdoing by the Ambassador is unsupported."
The controversies have drawn attention from congressional Democrats, including Senator Jeanne Shaheen and Representative Gregory Meeks, who have called for a review of Guilfoyle's conduct, with Meeks urging her removal if the allegations are substantiated. Vice President JD Vance commented on the situation, urging caution against premature judgment while acknowledging that misconduct should have consequences. "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."
Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who had previously defended Guilfoyle's performance, declined to directly address the specific allegations when questioned by reporters, stating, "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."
President Trump nominated Guilfoyle to the ambassador post in December 2024. A former California prosecutor and Fox News Channel personality, Guilfoyle was a prominent surrogate and fundraiser for the Trump administration. She was previously engaged to Donald Trump Jr. for four years before their public split in December 2024, the same month she was nominated as ambassador to Greece. She was also previously married to California Governor Gavin Newsom from 2001 to 2006.