U.S. Ambassador to Greece Kimberly Guilfoyle announced her resignation on October 13 following weeks of damaging press reports and allegations about her conduct in office.
Guilfoyle, the former girlfriend of the president’s son, Donald Jr., has been accused of using her political connections to secure personal financial benefits, with some reports suggesting she asked donors to pay off her credit card debt.
President Donald J. Trump and First Lady Melania Trump greet President Xi Jinping of China and First Lady Peng Liyuan at the South Portico during a State Arrival ceremony, Thursday, September 24, 2026. (Official White House Photo by Andrea Hanks)
Specifically, text messages appeared to suggest she asked a donor to pay off a $100,000 credit card bill in exchange for access to senior Trump administration officials.
Earlier allegations about Guilfoyle’s conduct had already prompted Democrats in Congress to demand investigations, putting pressure on the Trump administration at the worst possible time, as the president seeks to win over Republican and Independent voters concerned about his economic performance.
On Tuesday, the new White House press secretary confirmed that Democrats had asked Guilfoyle to resign.
The announcement came a day after the president publicly acknowledged the accusations for the first time and said that he was unhappy with what he had read.
Guilfoyle denies any wrongdoing and promised to defend her reputation in a social media statement.
White House Forces Guilfoyle Out
The White House confirmed that Guilfoyle had been asked to resign, presumably before she was fired, during White House Press Secretary Katie Zacharia’s first briefing on Tuesday morning.
“We have asked Ambassador Guilfoyle to resign,” Zacharia said. “She has been a wonderful asset to the team, and we wish her well.”
It followed the president’s Monday comments that her job was in jeopardy after reporters questioned him at the White House.
“Well, we’re looking at it,” Trump told reporters at the White House. “We’re not happy.” On Tuesday, the president went further, but refrained from disparaging the former ambassador.
He said she had performed well, but the administration was unhappy with the stories emerging in the press.
“She went to Greece; she was doing a good job, but we didn’t like what we were reading,” he said.
Guilfoyle’s Statement
Guilfoyle issued a statement announcing her resignation shortly after noon on Tuesday, describing her time in the role as the “honor of a lifetime.”
“I will forever be grateful to President Donald J. Trump and Secretary of State Marco Rubio for entrusting me with the extraordinary privilege of representing the greatest country in the history of the world,” she said.
Guilfoyle listed a series of achievements from her role, describing how she helped strengthen the U.S.-Greece alliance and deliver “meaningful victories for the American people.”
“During my tenure, we have helped secure historic agreements to expand American liquefied natural gas exports to Europe, advanced the Vertical Corridor to reduce Europe’s dependence on Russian energy, strengthened our defense and security partnership with a critical NATO ally, and expanded our opportunities for American businesses and investment throughout the region,” she wrote.
She also addressed the recent allegations against her, calling them all “false” and saying she intends to “vigorously defend” her name and reputation.
“I have dedicated my professional life to fighting for justice, standing up for what is right, and defending the values that make America exceptional,” she said. “I will not allow false accusations to define my decades of public service.”
The Allegations
One of the most serious allegations against Guilfoyle is that she asked Republican donor Eric Deters for $100,000 to settle an American Express credit card bill shortly before her Senate confirmation hearing in July 2025.
A CBS News investigation reported that Deters said Guilfoyle wanted him to transfer the money directly to her credit card account so it wouldn’t appear on her financial disclosure documents.
The Wall Street Journal first reported the allegations, citing text messages between Guilfoyle and Deters.
Deters, a former congressional candidate and strong supporter of President Trump, also said he sought Guilfoyle’s help to gain access to senior administration officials, including the attorney general and the commissioners of the Internal Revenue Service.
He described the arrangement as an attempt to exchange influence for money.
But Guilfoyle’s lawyers dispute the account.
In an October 11 statement, attorneys David Schwartz and Jesse Binnall said the money related to unpaid speaking engagements and public appearances she made before her nomination as ambassador.
Her lawyers also challenged the authenticity of the messages that were cited in the reporting.
The Allegations Go Further
The allegations also go beyond financial dealings.
A September 25 Wall Street Journal investigation alleged that Guilfoyle had made threatening remarks about the Greek government and improperly promoted the commercial interests of a private energy and construction firm.
An October 1 letter from Democratic Representative Gregory Meeks cited allegations that Guilfoyle suggested during a dinner in March that Washington could also help destabilize foreign governments – including that of Greece.
Questions also remain about her relationship with Christos Marafatsos, a registered lobbyist working on behalf of Greek construction and energy firm Aktor Group.
About the Author: Jack Buckby
Jack Buckby is a British researcher and analyst specializing in defense and national security, based in New York. His work focuses on military capability, procurement, and strategic competition, and he produces and edits analysis for policy and defense audiences. He brings extensive editorial experience, with a career output spanning over 1,000 articles at National Security Journal, and has previously authored books and papers on extremism and deradicalization.
