Kimberly Guilfoyle's lawyers deny misconduct allegations amid firing speculation
WASHINGTON, DC: Days into the Kimberly Guilfoyle controversy over her conduct, President Donald Trump is now contemplating whether to dismiss her from her position as US ambassador to Greece.
Guilfoyle is facing major allegations involving a quid pro quo scheme, improper conduct, and a federal investigation.
What Kimberly Guilfoyle is accused of as watchdog investigates
According to a CNN report published on Monday, October 12, citing a person familiar with the matter, Trump is considering taking a consequential step in the Kimberly Guilfoyle case amid rising controversy.
Trump has been monitoring reports claiming that Guilfoyle accepted expensive gifts while serving as ambassador and sought money in exchange for access to administration officials before she was confirmed.
In July 2025—just days before her Senate confirmation hearing—Guilfoyle allegedly asked conservative media personality and Trump donor Eric Deters to pay off her $100,000 American Express credit card bill.
She had reportedly asked Deters to wire money, but Deters ultimately did not, saying he didn’t have the liquid assets at the time.
The messages were first reported by The Wall Street Journal.
Notably, she was engaged to Trump’s oldest son Donald Jr for four years.
Her lawyers have denied the allegations that she sought money in exchange for access. They also said reports about her travel were misleading and that she followed federal rules on gifts and reporting.
The State Department’s Office of the Inspector General is investigating Guilfoyle over the allegations, according to a source familiar with the investigation who spoke to the outlet on Monday.
“As a matter of policy, OIG does not confirm, deny, or comment on investigative matters,” a State OIG spokesperson told the outlet last week.
Trump offers no defense as Guilfoyle's lawyers push back
The reports about Guilfoyle have upset senior administration officials, especially because they came out while Secretary of State Marco Rubio was in Athens for a major speech on Western democracy at the Acropolis.
Trump is expected to decide soon whether to fire Guilfoyle, according to the source. The president did not defend her when the outlet asked him about the allegations on Friday.
“I just heard about it. Too bad. I mean, I don’t know,” Trump said. “I just heard a little bit about it. I don’t know too much, but she was always very nice.”
Lawyers for the ambassador said in a statement provided to the outlet that Deters owed Guilfoyle money for speeches and consulting work and called his statements false.
“When Ms Guilfoyle was preparing to leave private life for public service, she did what any professional does and tried to close out her outstanding receivables. Asking a client to pay for work already done is not corruption. It is the opposite of corruption,” her lawyers wrote.
