Kimberly Guilfoyle resigns as US ambassador to Greece amid $100K donor payment allegations
WASHINGTON, DC: Kimberly Guilfoyle has resigned as the US ambassador to Greece after the Trump administration asked her to step down amid allegations involving a $100,000 credit card payment.
On Tuesday, October 13, Guilfoyle denied the allegations and vowed to defend her name, while President Donald Trump said the administration was unhappy with what it had read about the controversy.
Serving as the United States Ambassador to Greece has been the honor of a lifetime. I will forever be grateful to President Donald J. Trump and Secretary of State Marco Rubio for entrusting me with the extraordinary privilege of representing the greatest country in the history of the world. From my first day as Ambassador, I have worked tirelessly to advance President Trump’s America First agenda, strengthen our strategic alliance with Greece, and deliver meaningful victories for the American people. During my tenure, we have helped secure historic agreements to expand American liquefied natural gas exports to Europe, advanced the Vertical Corridor to reduce Europe’s dependence on Russian energy, strengthened our defense and security partnership with a critical NATO ally, and expanded opportunities for American businesses and investment throughout the region. I am especially proud of the role our Embassy has played in strengthening American energy dominance, advancing economic cooperation, and ensuring that the United States remains the indispensable leader in Southeast Europe. These accomplishments are a testament to President Trump’s bold leadership, Secretary Rubio’s commitment to American diplomacy, and the extraordinary men and women who serve our country every day. I also want to address the recent allegations against me. These allegations are false, and I intend to vigorously defend my name, my reputation, and my integrity. I have dedicated my professional life to fighting for justice, standing up for what is right, and defending the values that make America exceptional. I will not allow false accusations to define my decades of public service. My gratitude and respect for President Trump and Secretary Rubio remain unwavering. I am proud of what we accomplished together, and I will always be a loyal supporter of President Trump and his mission to Make America Great Again. While my time as Ambassador may be coming to an end, my commitment to President Trump, the America First movement, and the country I love will never end. It has been the honor of my lifetime to serve the United States of America. My deepest heartfelt appreciation to the people of Greece for their hospitality, partnership, and welcoming me with open arms. God bless President Trump, God bless our incredible diplomats and service members, and God bless the United States of America.
— Kimberly Guilfoyle (@kimguilfoyle) October 13, 2026
Kimberly Guilfoyle resigns amid $100K controversy
Kimberly Guilfoyle announced her resignation after the Trump administration confirmed that it had asked her to leave her diplomatic post in Athens.
The move came after a report by the Wall Street Journal alleged that she had asked a Trump donor to help pay down a $100,000 American Express credit card bill before her Senate confirmation as ambassador.
Guilfoyle addressed the allegations in a lengthy post on her personal X account on Tuesday morning.
While thanking President Trump and Secretary of State Marco Rubio for giving her the opportunity to represent the United States, she strongly denied the accusations against her.
"These allegations are false, and I intend to vigorously defend my name, my reputation, and my integrity," Guilfoyle wrote.
She also spoke about her professional career, saying she had spent years fighting for justice, standing up for what was right, and defending American values.
"I will not allow false accusations to define my decades of public service," she added.
Her resignation follows days of speculation about her future in the administration. Guilfoyle, 57, was confirmed as US ambassador to Greece in September 2025.
Before taking the diplomatic position, she was a Fox News host, an adviser to Trump's presidential campaign, and the fiancée of Donald Trump Jr.
Donald Trump reacts to Kimberly Guilfoyle’s resignation
The White House confirmed Guilfoyle's departure during a briefing on Tuesday, when new White House press secretary Katie Zacharia addressed questions about her position in Greece.
"We have asked Ambassador Guilfoyle to resign," Zacharia said. She also described Guilfoyle as "a wonderful asset to the team" and said the administration wished her well.
President Trump also spoke about the matter while leaving the White House for Alaska on Tuesday. Asked about Guilfoyle, he distanced himself from her by pointing out that she was no longer part of his family.
"She, I guess, dated my son a long time ago," Trump said.
He added that Guilfoyle had gone to Greece and had been doing a good job, but the administration was unhappy with what it had read about the allegations. "I didn't like what I read," Trump said.
His comments followed remarks he made on Monday, when he indicated that the administration was considering firing Guilfoyle. "Yeah, we're not happy," Trump told reporters.
Kimberly Guilfoyle faces scrutiny over $100K donor request
The controversy stems from a report published by The Wall Street Journal last week.
According to the newspaper, Guilfoyle contacted Eric Deters, a former Kentucky gubernatorial candidate and Trump donor, while preparing for her Senate confirmation hearings.
The report alleged that she asked Deters to send a $100,000 wire transfer to help pay down her American Express account. It also cited text messages between the two that allegedly showed Guilfoyle asking for the payment to be handled in a way that would avoid leaving a paper trail.
"Honey please I need you to get this done for me today," Guilfoyle reportedly texted Deters, according to the Journal. Guilfoyle's legal team initially disputed the authenticity of the messages in its response to the newspaper.
In a statement released late Sunday, her attorneys denied that she had done anything wrong. They also said she was seeking payment for appearance fees dating back to before her appointment as ambassador.
This explanation offered a different account of the alleged payment request, as questions continued about the circumstances surrounding the reported transaction. Deters made further comments to NBC News after the report was published.
Eric Deters alleges quid pro quo involving Kimberly Guilfoyle
Deters described the reported request as a quid pro quo, suggesting that the money was linked to access to people within the Trump administration. "She was so desperate for that $100,000. It was a quid pro quo," Deters said.
He also claimed that Guilfoyle had offered him access to administration officials in exchange for the money. "She said I could ask her for anything and everything in Trump world. There was no request too big," Deters added.
