Kimberly Guilfoyle resigns as US ambassador to Greece after reports of donor payments

Kimberly Guilfoyle resigned as US ambassador to Greece on Tuesday after the White House requested her departure amid reports that she had solicited a Republican donor to pay a $100,000 American Express bill in exchange for access.

The Wall Street Journal reported that Guilfoyle asked the donor to wire the funds to her personal account. Additional reporting described other instances of improper conduct during her tenure. The White House confirmed that President Trump had asked for her resignation. Guilfoyle had been appointed earlier in the administration and was a longtime ally of the president and of Donald Trump Jr.

The resignation removes one of the more visible political appointees from a European posting at a time when US relations with several NATO allies are under strain over Ukraine policy and trade. Greece has been a key partner in eastern Mediterranean energy and security arrangements. No immediate replacement has been named.

Guilfoyle's tenure had already drawn scrutiny in Greek and US media. The latest reports focused on the direct request for personal financial assistance from a donor who sought influence within the administration. Ethics rules prohibit ambassadors from soliciting gifts or payments that create the appearance of impropriety.

The episode adds to a series of personnel changes and controversies in the early months of the second Trump term. It also highlights the continued scrutiny of political appointees who lack traditional diplomatic experience. The State Department has not released a formal statement beyond confirming the resignation.

In Athens, the change creates a temporary vacancy at a moment when Greece is navigating its own relations with Turkey and its role in regional energy corridors. Career diplomats are expected to handle day-to-day operations until a new ambassador is confirmed.