The Trump administration has asked U.S. Ambassador to Greece Kimberly Guilfoyle to resign after the State Department’s Office of Inspector General looked into misconduct allegations.
“We have asked Ambassador Guilfoyle to resign,” White House press secretary Katie Zacharia said Tuesday, adding that Guilfoyle had been “a wonderful asset to the team.” President Donald Trump signaled Monday that he was considering removing her, saying, “We’re looking at it. We’re not happy.”
.@PressSec @KatieZacharia: “We have asked Ambassador Guilfoyle to resign. She has been a wonderful asset to the team, and we wish her well.” https://t.co/gSZfl1RTQp
— Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) October 13, 2026
The investigation followed reports that Guilfoyle boasted about luxury trips allegedly funded by Greek business figures. Guilfoyle, who was once engaged to Donald Trump Jr., was also accused by a Trump donor of seeking $100,000 in exchange for access to administration officials. Guilfoyle’s attorneys deny impropriety, saying the money involved unpaid speaking fees and her travel complied with State Department rules.
Before entering the Trump political orbit, Guilfoyle was a former California prosecutor and media personality. She was married from 2001 to 2006 to now-California Democratic Governor Gavin Newsom. She later became a prominent surrogate and fundraiser for President Donald Trump, leading to her four-year engagement to his eldest son, Donald Trump Jr. The couple publicly split in December 2024 — the same month President Trump nominated her to serve as ambassador to Greece — and Donald Trump Jr. subsequently married Palm Beach socialite Bettina Anderson in May 2026.
The White House decision comes amid mounting scrutiny into Guilfoyle’s conduct in Athens. The Wall Street Journal highlighted claims that Guilfoyle urged Trump donor Eric Deters to wire $100,000 directly to her American Express bill shortly before her July 2025 Senate confirmation hearing in exchange for access to senior administration officials. Deters told NBC News in an interview that “she was so desperate for that $100,000. It was a quid pro quo,” adding that “there was no request too big.” Text messages provided by Deters appeared to show Guilfoyle instructing him to wire the money directly so “it won’t show up anywhere.” Guilfoyle’s attorney, Jesse Binnall, disputed the characterization, maintaining that the money was an unpaid balance owed for prior speaking engagements.
Further reporting from the Journal alleged that Guilfoyle promoted the commercial interests of Greek construction and energy firm Aktor Group, allowed its lobbyist to attend private diplomatic meetings, and allegedly threatened to undermine the Greek government during a dinner with local officials. In addition, the State Department Inspector General’s probe reportedly examined allegations of a hostile workplace, including claims that Guilfoyle threatened embassy staff and demoted security detail officers — including one who reportedly failed to answer a 4 a.m. request for ice while she was vacationing in Mykonos.
Her conduct sparked calls for accountability from congressional Democrats, including Sen. Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) and Rep. Gregory Meeks (D-NY), who urged her removal if allegations were substantiated.
Key administration figures had initially urged caution. Vice President JD Vance stated last week that “we don’t try people in the court of public opinion” and emphasized waiting for the facts. Meanwhile, Secretary of State Marco Rubio blasted journalists during a press gaggle in Athens last week for relying on unnamed sources.
“You guys walk around thinking that because some source told you something … it’s the gospel,” Rubio said.
However, President Trump’s position shifted from calling the situation “too bad” last Friday to stating Monday that the administration was “not happy,” culminating in Tuesday’s formal request for her resignation.
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