Gavin Newsom calls ex-wife Kimberly Guilfoyle’s exit as US ambassador to Greece ‘unfortunate’
WASHINGTON, DC: California Governor Gavin Newsom publicly responded to the controversy surrounding his former wife, Kimberly Guilfoyle, on Saturday, October 17, after the Trump administration asked her to resign as US ambassador to Greece amid allegations of a cash-for-access arrangement.
Speaking to reporters while campaigning for Democratic candidates in New Hampshire, Newsom said he had not spoken to Guilfoyle recently and described her departure as “unfortunate.” Guilfoyle has denied the allegations, which center on claims that she asked a Trump ally to pay a $100,000 credit card bill in exchange for access to influential political figures.
Gavin Newsom responds to Kimberly Guilfoyle’s resignation
CBS News reporter Jared Ochacher asked Newsom about Guilfoyle’s departure and the allegations surrounding her diplomatic role. After pausing before responding, the California governor offered a brief statement about his former wife, whom he married in 2001 before their divorce was finalized in 2006.
“I don’t know enough about it,” Newsom said. “I haven’t talked to her in a while. I just wish her the best, and I don’t have much, honestly, much more to say on it. It’s unfortunate.”
California Gov. Gavin Newsom responded Saturday to the Trump administration's decision to remove his ex-wife, Kimberly Guilfoyle, as U.S. ambassador to Greece, calling the situation "unfortunate." Speaking to CBS News' @JaredOchacher while campaigning for Democrats in New Hampshire, Newsom said he had not spoken to Guilfoyle in some time and wished her the best. Guilfoyle's removal comes amid allegations that she asked a Trump donor to pay off a substantial credit card bill in exchange for access to the administration. Guilfoyle has denied the allegations.
— CBS News (@CBSNews) October 17, 2026
The remarks marked Newsom’s first public response to the controversy involving Guilfoyle, who was appointed ambassador to Greece after maintaining ties with President Donald Trump’s administration. Her departure followed allegations by Eric Deters, a former Kentucky congressional candidate and Trump ally, who claimed Guilfoyle asked him to cover her $100,000 American Express bill in return for access to members of the Trump family and administration.
According to the allegations, messages exchanged through Signal included a request for Deters to arrange payment directly to American Express. However, Guilfoyle has repeatedly denied the claims and said the messages were doctored. Deters reiterated his allegations in an interview with 'Good Morning America', characterizing the alleged arrangement as “quid pro quo.”
Zacharia: We have asked Kimberly Guilfoyle to resign. She has been a wonderful asset to the team and we wish her well. https://t.co/U128BdSg27
— Acyn (@Acyn) October 13, 2026
White House asks Kimberly Guilfoyle to resign
Earlier in the week, the Trump administration announced its decision to ask Guilfoyle to step down. Then-White House press secretary Katie Zacharia said, “we have asked Ambassador Guilfoyle to resign. She has been a wonderful asset to the team, and we wish her well.”
The announcement followed scrutiny of Guilfoyle’s alleged interactions with Deters and her diplomatic role. Guilfoyle has denied the allegations.
Donald Trump Jr’s reported reaction to Guilfoyle’s departure
Guilfoyle’s departure has also prompted reports about her relationship with Donald Trump Jr, the president’s son, to whom she was engaged from 2020 until their relationship ended in 2024. The couple had been together for approximately six years.
According to entertainment insider Rob Shuter, sources close to Trump Jr claimed he was concerned about what Guilfoyle might do following her departure from the diplomatic post. One source described the ambassadorship as a way to keep the former couple apart, saying, “Don wants Kimberly in Greece, not back in his life in the USA.”
Another source alleged that Guilfoyle had knowledge of private matters within the Trump family, telling Shuter that “Kimberly knows where the bodies are buried.”
These remarks were attributed to sources cited by Shuter and were not independently established in the material provided.
Trump in March: Kimberly Guilfoyle has been my friend for a long time. I love calling her Kimberlay. That’s my little pet name, right? But you are the greatest... Trump today: She was not a member of my family. I guess she dated my son a long time ago. https://t.co/Mh2nuO8R9j
— Molly Ploofkins (@Mollyploofkins) October 13, 2026
Donald Trump distances Guilfoyle from his family
Trump also addressed Guilfoyle’s departure, distancing her from his family when asked about the former ambassador.
“No, she wasn't a member of my family. She, I guess, dated my son a long time ago,” Trump said.
His remarks contrasted with comments he made in March, when he described Guilfoyle as a longtime friend and referred to her affectionately as “Kimberlay,” according to a social media post circulating after her departure.
Newsom, meanwhile, offered no further comment on the allegations against his former wife, saying he wished her the best.
