White House asks Ambassador Kimberly Guilfoyle to resign amid misconduct allegations

The White House on Tuesday asked Kimberly Guilfoyle to resign as United States ambassador to Greece. Press Secretary Katie Zacharia announced the request during her first briefing. She said Guilfoyle had been a wonderful asset to the team and wished her well. President Donald Trump had indicated the day before that he was looking at removing her, telling reporters, "We're not happy."

The decision follows a series of reports in The Wall Street Journal detailing allegations of misconduct. One central claim involves Trump donor Eric Deters. Messages cited by the Journal show Guilfoyle pressing Deters in July 2025, days before her Senate confirmation hearing, to pay off a $100,000 American Express bill. She reportedly assured him the transfer would not appear in records. Deters has said the request was a quid pro quo and that he paid her roughly $300,000 over the years without receiving favors. He did not make the specific $100,000 payment. Guilfoyle's lawyers deny wrongdoing and describe the sums as unpaid speaking fees.

Additional reporting described Guilfoyle accepting improper gifts and services, promoting the interests of the Greek company Aktor during official meetings, and allowing its lobbyist into private diplomatic sessions. Recordings allegedly captured her discussing private jet travel and luxury hospitality from wealthy Greek businessmen. She was also accused of threatening a host-country official. The State Department's Office of Inspector General opened an investigation into her treatment of embassy staff, private travel, gifts, and business relationships. Trump and Secretary of State Marco Rubio were described by officials as extremely angry over the reports.

Guilfoyle, 57, is a former Fox News personality and former fiancée of Donald Trump Jr. She was confirmed by the Senate in September 2025 and sworn in later that month. She arrived in Athens on a private jet and quickly became a high-profile figure in Greek social and political circles. Her predecessor was George James Tsunis. Greece has served as a key NATO ally, providing military facilities for operations in the Eastern Mediterranean and leading an EU maritime mission in the Red Sea.

Lawmakers had previously raised concerns about allegations that Guilfoyle sought to use U.S. influence to undermine the Greek government. The embassy in Athens did not immediately comment. Zacharia provided no further details on the resignation request beyond the prepared statement. It remained unclear on Tuesday afternoon whether Guilfoyle had formally submitted her resignation or when a successor would be named.

The episode comes during a period of heightened scrutiny of political appointees in the second Trump administration. Guilfoyle's rapid rise from campaign surrogate to ambassador reflected her longstanding ties to the Trump family and Republican circles. Her departure removes a visible public face of U.S. diplomacy in a strategically important ally at a moment when the broader Middle East conflict continues to draw American attention. Greece has balanced relations with both the United States and regional partners while managing its own economic recovery and energy interests.

The allegations, if sustained, would raise questions about the standards applied to ambassadorial nominations and the oversight of personal financial dealings by senior officials. Guilfoyle's legal team maintains that her travel complied with State Department rules and that no improper exchanges occurred. The Inspector General investigation continues independently of the White House request. Any formal resignation would end her tenure less than a year after she took the post.