U.S. Ambassador to Greece Kimberly Guilfoyle is reportedly facing potential dismissal from her diplomatic post, with President Donald Trump and Secretary of State Marco Rubio said to be deeply displeased with her alleged conduct. The Associated Press reported that a senior U.S. official indicated both men are "extremely pissed off" regarding the allegations and that a decision on her future is anticipated shortly after the Columbus Day holiday. Ambassador Guilfoyle's attorney, Jesse Binnall, has disputed the authenticity of some messages and stated that any implication of wrongdoing by the Ambassador is unsupported.
"Let’s actually see what the facts are. Let’s see what the truth is. And obviously, if there was something bad that happened, then people have to suffer consequences for it." Vice President JD Vance
The speculation surrounding Ambassador Guilfoyle's tenure comes after a series of reports detailing various allegations. The Wall Street Journal initially set off a chain of events by reporting that Guilfoyle allegedly asked Trump donor Eric Deters to pay off a $100,000 American Express bill. This request reportedly occurred shortly before her Senate confirmation hearing. The Journal reviewed messages where Guilfoyle purportedly urged Deters to wire the money directly to American Express, suggesting the transaction would leave no paper trail. She also allegedly offered to help Deters gain access to senior Trump administration officials in exchange for the payment. Deters, however, stated that he never made the payment.
Further reports from The Wall Street Journal highlighted additional concerns regarding her work in Athens. The newspaper reported that Guilfoyle allegedly promoted the interests of Aktor Group, a Greek construction and energy company, during her ambassadorship. It was also reported that she allowed Aktor’s registered lobbyist, Christos Marafatsos, to accompany her to private diplomatic meetings with senior officials. These actions raise questions about potential conflicts of interest and the ethical standards expected of a diplomatic representative.
Another incident reported by The Wall Street Journal involved a dinner with Greek officials, where Guilfoyle reportedly suggested the United States would undermine the Greek government. The report cited political developments in Romania as a basis for her remarks. Greece’s foreign minister later stated that Athens saw no need to summon her for an explanation, primarily because the country’s energy minister denied that any threat had been made.
In addition to these allegations, The Daily Mail reported that the State Department’s Office of Inspector General (OIG) has opened an investigation into several claims involving Ambassador Guilfoyle. These allegations include her treatment of embassy employees, private travel, acceptance of gifts, and relationships with business interests. While the Inspector General’s office declined to confirm or deny the existence of such an investigation, sources described a hostile workplace environment to The Daily Mail. They alleged that Guilfoyle threatened to fire employees and demoted members of her security detail over minor incidents. One cited example involved an officer who reportedly failed to answer a 4 a.m. request for ice while she was vacationing in Mykonos.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio, during a trip to Greece, initially offered a measured response when pressed by reporters about the ambassador. He remarked, “You guys walk around thinking that because some source told you something and you reported it, it’s the gospel. It’s not the gospel.” A day prior to these remarks, Rubio had stated, “Our ambassador has been a strong ambassador here.” However, subsequent reports from The Associated Press, citing a senior U.S. official, indicated a significant shift in sentiment from both Secretary Rubio and President Trump regarding her conduct.
Vice President JD Vance addressed the controversy during remarks in Ohio, urging against a rush to judgment. He emphasized the importance of gathering facts while acknowledging that misconduct should carry consequences. “Let’s actually see what the facts are. Let’s see what the truth is,” Vance told reporters. “And obviously, if there was something bad that happened, then people have to suffer consequences for it.”
Congressional Democrats have also called for scrutiny into Ambassador Guilfoyle’s conduct. Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.) and Representative Gregory Meeks (D-N.Y.) have urged a review. Representative Meeks stated that if the allegations are substantiated, Guilfoyle should be removed from her position.
President Trump nominated Kimberly Guilfoyle for the Athens post in December 2024. Prior to her diplomatic appointment, she was known as a former California prosecutor and a personality on Fox News Channel, serving as a prominent surrogate and fundraiser for President Trump. She was engaged to Donald Trump Jr. for four years, with the couple publicly splitting in December 2024, the same month of her nomination. Donald Trump Jr. married Palm Beach socialite Bettina Anderson in May.
