Trump Asks Greek Ambassador Kimberly Guilfoyle to Resign
New White House Press Secretary Katie Zacharia announced the request in her first briefing, following reports of an investigation into Guilfoyle's conduct.
Donald Trump has requested the resignation of Kimberly Guilfoyle, the U.S. ambassador to Greece, White House Press Secretary Katie Zacharia announced Tuesday during her first press briefing.
Zacharia's statement came in response to questions about The Daily Mail's report alleging that Guilfoyle was the subject of an Inspector General investigation into her lifestyle in Athens. "We have asked Ambassador Guilfoyle to resign, she has been a wonderful asset to the team and we wish her well," Zacharia stated.
Trump had indicated on Monday that he was considering removing the ambassador following a series of negative headlines concerning her conduct. The Daily Mail reported last week that the State Department had officially launched a probe into complaints about Guilfoyle's leadership style and the acceptance of lavish corporate perks at the U.S. Embassy in Athens.
Sources indicated the investigation is examining allegations related to potential substance abuse, use of private aircraft, a close association with an energy and construction company, and improper acceptance of gifts.
Zacharia, a 41-year-old lawyer and political commentator, was appointed to the press secretary role just 72 hours prior to this briefing. She is now tasked with addressing a range of emerging political controversies for the administration.
Before her appointment, Zacharia resided in California with her family. She previously served as a White House intern under President George W. Bush in 2006 and later joined Trump's 2024 campaign. Earlier this year, she spent six weeks as the public face of communications for the Department of Homeland Security during an aggressive border enforcement campaign. Most recently, she worked as a strategic communications adviser for Trump Media & Technology Group.
Zacharia's briefing was brief, lasting 14 minutes, and she took questions only from The Daily Mail, Breitbart, and Fox News. The announcement regarding Guilfoyle's requested resignation dominated the briefing.
Guilfoyle faced scrutiny over allegations that she solicited a $100,000 donor payment to cover personal credit card debt in exchange for political access, among other claims of unethical behavior.
Meanwhile, a federal judge issued an injunction ordering the Department of Homeland Security to immediately halt its national television advertising campaign, ruling that the use of taxpayer funds for promotional spots featuring the President likely violated legal boundaries. Zacharia's performance is being compared to her predecessor, Karoline Leavitt, whom Trump had praised.