Kimberly Guilfoyle has resigned as the United States Ambassador to Greece at the request of the White House, following an ongoing investigation by the State Department’s inspector general into allegations of misconduct. Guilfoyle, a former Fox News host and the fiancée of Donald Trump Jr., announced her departure on X, stating that serving in the role had been "the honor of a lifetime." The resignation comes days after reports surfaced regarding potential financial irregularities during her tenure in Athens.
The decision to ask for her resignation was confirmed by new White House Press Secretary Katie Zacharia at her inaugural briefing. "We have asked Ambassador Guilfoyle to resign," Zacharia told reporters, noting that Guilfoyle had been "a wonderful asset to the team." President Donald Trump, speaking to reporters shortly after the announcement, indicated that the administration had reviewed recent reports about her conduct. "She went to Greece. She was doing a good job, but we didn’t like what we were reading," Trump said. He added that he had not spoken to Guilfoyle directly.
What the Left Is Saying
Critics and Democratic commentators have pointed to the allegations as evidence of ethical lapses within the Trump administration's diplomatic appointments. The primary allegations, first reported by The Wall Street Journal, suggest that Guilfoyle bragged about connections to Greek tycoons who funded luxury trips for her. NBC News has not independently confirmed these specific allegations, but they have fueled criticism regarding the vetting process for political appointees.
Additionally, Trump donor Eric Deters has accused Guilfoyle of attempting to secure a $100,000 payment to cover her American Express bill in exchange for access to senior administration officials. "She was so desperate for that $100,000. It was a quid pro quo," Deters told NBC News. He stated that Guilfoyle instructed him via text to wire the money directly to American Express because "it won’t show up anywhere" that way. Deters confirmed he did not make the payment.
What the Right Is Saying
Guilfoyle and her defenders maintain that the allegations are false and part of a public trial without due process. In her resignation statement, Guilfoyle asserted, "These allegations are false, and I intend to vigorously defend my name, my reputation, and my integrity." Her attorneys, David Schwartz and Jesse Binnall, stated that Deters owed her money for speaking engagements, a claim Deters denies.
Senior administration officials initially defended Guilfoyle before her resignation. Vice President JD Vance said, "These are accusations" and argued against trying individuals in the "court of public opinion," stating, "Let’s actually see what the facts are." Secretary of State Marco Rubio similarly dismissed early questions about the allegations, saying, "I don’t even know if what you’re reporting is true," and criticizing the timing of the inquiries during his time in Athens. White House Press Secretary Zacharia echoed this sentiment by calling Guilfoyle a "wonderful asset" as she departed.
What the Numbers Show
The controversy centers on specific financial claims and the scope of the investigation. Eric Deters alleges a requested payment of $100,000 to cover an outstanding American Express balance. Guilfoyle’s attorneys contend this sum was compensation for speaking engagements. The State Department’s inspector general has been investigating Guilfoyle’s conduct, including allegations that she sought, obtained, and followed State Department guidance on travel regulations, according to her legal team.
President Trump’s public stance shifted over the course of the week. On Friday, he described the reports as "too bad" and noted he did not know much about the situation. By Monday, his tone hardened, stating, "We’re looking at it. We’re not happy," when asked if he was considering firing her. By the time of the resignation announcement, he cited the content of the reports as the reason for the decision. The investigation remains ongoing, with the State Department inspector general’s office expected to release further findings.
The Bottom Line
Guilfoyle’s resignation marks the end of her diplomatic posting, but the legal and ethical questions remain open. The State Department inspector general’s investigation is still active, and U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia Jeanine Pirro indicated that her office would likely wait for the inspector general’s results before launching any independent probe. "We’ll probably wait to see what comes, what happens with that," Pirro said.
For the administration, the departure aims to contain potential embarrassment. Sources familiar with the matter noted that senior White House aides were concerned about what the inspector general’s probe might reveal regarding conduct that had not yet been made public. Guilfoyle stated she will continue to defend her reputation, while the administration moves forward with a new nomination for the ambassadorship in Greece.