Image Source: The New York Times
Guilfoyle could lose her position as US ambassador to Greece after President Donald Trump said he was considering firing her amid allegations of improper conduct in Athens. Guilfoyle has denied wrongdoing, while her lawyers say the claims distort legitimate payments for speaking and consulting work.
Asked by reporters at the White House whether he was considering dismissing the ambassador, Trump replied: “We’re looking at it. Yeah, we’re not happy.” His comments have intensified scrutiny of Guilfoyle, who was appointed to the diplomatic post in December 2024.
Guilfoyle Faces Explosive Allegations in Greece
The controversy centres on reports that Guilfoyle allegedly asked Trump donor Eric Deters to pay a substantial American Express credit-card bill in exchange for access to the administration. The Wall Street Journal first reported the allegations, and the BBC later reviewed a series of messages said to have been exchanged between Guilfoyle and Deters.
In one Signal message, Guilfoyle allegedly wrote: “It won’t show up anywhere if you wire money to American Express.” Another message, dated days before her US Senate confirmation hearing last July, reportedly said: “Honey please I need you to get this done for me today.”
Deters did not send the money. Guilfoyle’s legal team has challenged the authenticity of the messages and rejected the suggestion that the exchange involved corruption.
Lawyers Dispute the Claims
In a statement issued on 12 October, Guilfoyle’s lawyers said Deters owed her approximately $150,000 for speeches and consulting work completed long before she became ambassador. They argued that requesting payment for completed work was not improper.
“Asking a client to pay for work already done is not corruption. It is the opposite of corruption,” the lawyers said.
The statement did not resolve questions about the timing or wording of the alleged messages. It did, however, establish Guilfoyle’s central defence: that the money involved was a private business debt rather than payment for diplomatic access.
Audio Claims Add Pressure to Diplomatic Crisis
Further allegations have emerged through audio recordings obtained by the Wall Street Journal. According to the newspaper, Guilfoyle was heard discussing relationships with prominent Greek business figures who allegedly financed luxury travel and private-jet flights.
The recordings reportedly also include remarks to an official in Athens suggesting that the United States could topple the Greek government. The significance and context of those comments remain disputed, but they have added to concerns about judgment, influence and diplomatic conduct.
Democrats on the Senate and House foreign affairs committees have called for the State Department to investigate Guilfoyle’s behaviour. The demands create an additional political challenge for the administration as officials assess whether the ambassador can continue representing the United States in Greece.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who appeared with Guilfoyle during a recent trip to Athens, was also reported to be unhappy about the allegations. No formal State Department finding has been announced.
Who Is Kimberly Guilfoyle?
Guilfoyle, 57, has a background spanning law, television and Republican politics. She previously worked as a prosecutor in San Francisco and Los Angeles before joining Fox News in 2006. She left broadcasting in 2018 and later became involved with the Trump campaign.
Her personal connection to the president’s family has also drawn attention. Guilfoyle began dating Donald Trump Jr in 2018, and the pair later became engaged. They reportedly separated in 2024, around the time she was selected for the ambassadorial role. Donald Trump Jr subsequently married socialite and model Bettina Anderson in Florida.
When Trump announced Guilfoyle’s appointment, he praised her experience in law, media and politics, describing her as highly qualified to represent the United States abroad. The current allegations have placed that appointment under renewed scrutiny.
What Happens Next?
Guilfoyle’s future may depend on several developments, including whether the State Department opens a formal inquiry, whether additional evidence becomes public and whether Trump decides that the political cost of retaining her has become too high.
- Trump has said he is considering removing Guilfoyle from her post.
- Guilfoyle denies wrongdoing through her legal representatives.
- Her lawyers say approximately $150,000 was owed for earlier professional work.
- Democratic lawmakers are calling for a State Department investigation.
- The reported messages and recordings remain disputed.
For now, the ambassador remains at the centre of a fast-moving dispute involving diplomatic standards, private financial dealings and access to political power. Any official investigation could determine whether the allegations reflect misconduct or a contested private business relationship.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is Guilfoyle facing possible dismissal?
President Donald Trump said he was considering firing Guilfoyle after reports alleged improper behaviour and financial requests involving a Trump donor in Athens.
What does Guilfoyle’s legal team say?
Her lawyers deny wrongdoing and say the disputed money related to approximately $150,000 owed for speaking engagements and consulting work completed before her ambassadorship.
Who is Eric Deters?
Eric Deters is described as a long-time Trump ally and donor. Reports say Guilfoyle asked him to settle a credit-card bill, but he never sent the money.
Are the allegations proven?
No. The messages and recordings have been reported by the Wall Street Journal, but Guilfoyle’s lawyers dispute the authenticity or interpretation of the evidence.
