Kimberley Guilfoyle, who recently served as Ambassador to Greece, is facing a defamation lawsuit filed by attorney Eric Deters, a former donor to President Donald Trump. The legal action follows Guilfoyle's resignation from her ambassadorial post, which occurred at the request of the White House. Deters' lawsuit centers on alleged claims made by Guilfoyle concerning text messages Deters publicly released last year.
"This is not extortion. Nothing I am asking for or doing is unlawful. I am playing hardball because the doctor Durrani victims deserve hardball on their behalf." Eric Deters, Attorney and Former Trump Donor
The dispute began with text messages in which Guilfoyle reportedly asked Deters to cover around $100,000 in her personal debts. Deters subsequently made these messages public. His lawsuit was filed after Guilfoyle, a former Fox News personality, allegedly claimed to White House officials that the texts were generated by artificial intelligence. Publicly, Guilfoyle described the accusations as "false." The White House confirmed on Tuesday that it had asked Guilfoyle to step down, citing the texts and the "distraction they created for the administration." Guilfoyle announced her resignation shortly thereafter.
Beyond the defamation claim, Deters' lawsuit includes two specific demands directed at President Trump. Deters is seeking the extradition of Dr. Abubakar Atiq Durrani, who is believed to have fled the country before standing trial for a 2013 indictment. Durrani was accused of pushing nearly 600 patients into unnecessary and risky spinal surgeries. Deters, who performed legal work for numerous patients allegedly harmed by Durrani, has been advocating for the doctor's extradition from his suspected hiding place in Pakistan. Additionally, Deters demands that President Trump investigate how the judiciary handled Dr. Durrani's case.
Addressing potential objections to his approach, Deters released a video on social media. "This is not extortion," he stated. "Nothing I am asking for or doing is unlawful. I am playing hardball because the doctor Durrani victims deserve hardball on their behalf." Deters is representing himself in the ongoing case. He also seeks an admission that he "did not blackmail" Guilfoyle and confirmation that he owes her nothing.
Deters has indicated plans to seek depositions from both Guilfoyle and Donald Trump Jr., to whom Guilfoyle was engaged from 2020 until their relationship ended in 2024. He also hinted at further revelations, claiming "information is pouring into me." Deters promised to release a "16-minute phone conversation" that he described as "the most explosive, most devastating information about Kimberly Guilfoyle to date." He emphasized that "no one in the media has it."
The attorney also suggested that his actions and the information he possesses could have broader implications for the current administration. He claimed he holds "additional damaging information about other figures in the Trump orbit." Deters framed the potential impact in sweeping terms, despite identifying as a supporter of President Trump. "This might just bring down the entire Trump administration, an administration which I have supported from day one, whose policies I still support," he said. He further speculated on the political fallout, suggesting it "may end the JD Vance, Marco Rubio ticket after you hear the phone call that I’m going to play tomorrow."
In response to the lawsuit, Guilfoyle's attorney issued a statement to The Post, asserting, "The lawsuit is clearly frivolous on its face. Our upcoming response will speak for itself." The legal proceedings and Deters' promised revelations are expected to continue drawing national attention as the situation develops.
