Kimberly Guilfoyle ousted as ambassador over corruption allegations
Kimberly Guilfoyle said she is stepping aside as U.S. ambassador to Greece, days after reports that she offered access to officials in exchange for help paying off her debt.
Key points
- Kimberly Guilfoyle resigned as U.S. ambassador to Greece after the White House asked her to step down.
- Reports said she sought $100,000 from an associate to pay her American Express bill before her Senate confirmation hearing.
- The associate, Eric Deters, described her request as 'pay to play' and said he sought access to administration officials.
Washington — Kimberly Guilfoyle said Tuesday she would step aside as U.S. ambassador to Greece after the White House asked her to resign. The decision followed days of reports that she offered access to administration officials in exchange for help paying off her debt.
White House press secretary Katie Zacharia announced the request during her first press briefing Tuesday. The president, who said he had not spoken with Guilfoyle, confirmed she is leaving, telling reporters on the South Lawn, 'I didn't like what I read.'
Allegations and timeline
The move came days after an associate shared text messages indicating Guilfoyle asked him for $100,000 to pay her American Express bill before her Senate confirmation hearing last year. The Wall Street Journal first reported the messages last week.
Businessman Eric Deters told CBS News last week that Guilfoyle asked him in July 2025 to wire $100,000 to her American Express account so her credit card debt would not appear on her financial disclosures. Deters called her request 'pay to play' and said he sought help from Guilfoyle with access to Trump administration officials, including the attorney general and IRS commissioner. White House officials were told the text messages were authentic, sources said.
We have asked Ambassador Guilfoyle to resign. She has been a wonderful asset to the team, and we wish her well.
— White House press secretary Katie Zacharia
Guilfoyle's response
Guilfoyle confirmed her plans to resign in a post on X less than two hours after Zacharia's comments. She wrote that while her time as ambassador may be ending, her commitment to President Trump, the America First movement, and the country will never end. She denied the allegations and said she intends to 'rigorously defend' her name.
There were no names circulating Tuesday in the White House for a new ambassador to Greece. Guilfoyle has few remaining allies in the Trump administration. Her former fiancé, Donald Trump Jr., has been polite but no longer has much contact with her, sources said.
