The administration of United States President Donald Trump has asked US Ambassador to Greece Kimberly Guilfoyle to resign following a series of misconduct allegations involving her financial dealings, relationships with wealthy businesspeople and alleged attempts to exchange political influence for financial benefits.
White House Press Secretary Katie Zacharia announced the decision on Tuesday, October 13, 2026, during her first media briefing, confirming that the administration had requested Guilfoyle’s departure from the diplomatic position.
“We have asked Ambassador Guilfoyle to resign,” Zacharia told reporters, adding that the administration considered her an asset and wished her well.
The announcement followed growing scrutiny of Guilfoyle’s conduct after reports raised questions about her interactions with political supporters, business interests and officials during her diplomatic assignment in Athens.
Trump had indicated a day earlier that he was considering removing the ambassador, expressing dissatisfaction with the reports surrounding her conduct.
“She was doing a good job, but we didn’t like what we were reading,” Trump told reporters, according to accounts of his remarks.
Guilfoyle, a former Fox News presenter and California prosecutor, rejected the allegations and defended her record in a statement published on social media.
She maintained that the accusations were false and said she intended to defend her reputation and integrity.
Her response followed reports by The Wall Street Journal detailing alleged financial arrangements and interactions with individuals connected to the Trump administration.
One of the central allegations concerns an alleged request for financial assistance from Eric Deters, a businessman and supporter of Trump.
According to reports citing messages reviewed by the newspaper, Guilfoyle allegedly asked Deters to pay a $100,000 American Express credit card bill shortly before her Senate confirmation hearing in July 2025.
The reports further alleged that she offered to help him obtain access to senior administration officials in connection with the request.
Deters subsequently discussed the alleged exchange publicly, raising questions about whether financial assistance was linked to access to political decision-makers.
However, Guilfoyle’s legal representatives disputed the allegations and challenged the claims surrounding the financial arrangement. They argued that money she sought related to unpaid fees for previous public appearances and speaking engagements rather than improper payments connected to her diplomatic appointment.
The allegations have not, by themselves, established criminal wrongdoing, and Guilfoyle has denied misconduct.
Further reports have raised concerns about her relationships with Greek business interests and her conduct while serving as the United States’ representative in Athens.
The Wall Street Journal reported allegations that Guilfoyle promoted the interests of a Greek construction and energy company and permitted a business lobbyist to participate in private diplomatic meetings.
Other reports raised questions about her acceptance of gifts and hospitality, treatment of embassy employees and interactions with Greek officials.
The claims have drawn attention because ambassadors are expected to represent their governments while observing applicable ethical requirements and maintaining appropriate boundaries between diplomatic responsibilities and private interests.
The controversy has also generated calls for greater scrutiny of the circumstances surrounding Guilfoyle’s appointment and conduct.
Reports indicated that the US State Department’s inspector general was examining complaints involving aspects of her behaviour and activities. The precise scope and status of any formal investigation had not been fully established in the publicly available accounts.
Guilfoyle’s departure request comes amid broader concerns about accountability and ethical standards within the Trump administration, particularly where political relationships and official responsibilities intersect.
Before her appointment, Guilfoyle was a prominent conservative media personality and a longtime Trump ally. She was previously engaged to Donald Trump Jr., the president’s eldest son, before their relationship ended.
Trump nominated her to serve as ambassador to Greece, where she took up a high-profile diplomatic role focused on strengthening relations between Washington and Athens.
During her tenure, she promoted American energy exports and closer security cooperation between the two countries. Greece remains an important NATO ally of the United States, particularly because of its strategic position in the Eastern Mediterranean.
Her diplomatic activities included engagement with Greek officials and business leaders on issues involving energy cooperation, investment and regional security.
However, the recent allegations have overshadowed aspects of that work, placing her professional conduct under increased scrutiny.
The White House’s request for her resignation represents a significant development in the controversy, although the administration’s announcement did not provide a detailed explanation of its decision.
Guilfoyle’s public rejection of the allegations also leaves important questions about the disputed claims to be addressed through any relevant investigations and supporting evidence.
The developments come as the US administration faces pressure to demonstrate that public office is not used to secure private financial advantages or preferential access to government officials.
For now, the confirmed position is that the White House has asked Guilfoyle to leave her post, while she maintains that the allegations against her are false.
The outcome of any further investigations could determine whether additional administrative action or other consequences follow.
