Kimberly Guilfoyle denies allegations, confirms exit as US envoy to Greece
Synopsis
The White House publicly demanded Kimberly Guilfoyle's resignation as US Ambassador to Greece — and President Trump himself said he 'didn't like what he read.' Guilfoyle fired back on X, calling the allegations false, but confirmed she is leaving. At the centre: a reported $100,000 request to a businessman, a 'pay to play' claim, and a congressional demand for a State Department investigation.
Key Takeaways
Kimberly Guilfoyle denied allegations against her as 'false' in a post on X on 13 October 2026 .
The White House publicly confirmed it had asked Guilfoyle to resign from her post as US Ambassador to Greece .
President Trump said he had not spoken to Guilfoyle but confirmed she 'will not be there,' citing reports he disliked.
The allegations centre on a reported $100,000 request to businessman Eric Deters in July 2025 , which Deters called 'pay to play.' Guilfoyle's representatives said Deters owed her roughly $150,000 for speeches and consulting work predating her ambassadorship.
Democrats on Senate and House foreign affairs committees have called on the State Department to investigate her conduct in Greece .
Former United States Ambassador to Greece Kimberly Guilfoyle on Tuesday, 13 October flatly denied recent allegations against her as 'false' and confirmed her departure from the post, after the White House publicly stated it had asked her to resign. Guilfoyle, 57, had been appointed to the role by President Donald Trump in December 2024.
Guilfoyle's Statement on X
In a post on social media platform X, Guilfoyle said: '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.' She added: 'I will not allow false accusations to define my decades of public service.'
Acknowledging the end of her tenure, she said: '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.' She expressed gratitude toward President Trump and Secretary of State Marco Rubio, calling the ambassadorship 'the honour of a lifetime.'
White House and Trump React
New White House Press Secretary Katie Zacharia, at her first press briefing, told reporters: 'We have asked Ambassador Guilfoyle to resign. She has been a wonderful asset to the team, and we wish her well.' Speaking to reporters on the South Lawn before departing for Alaska, President Trump said he had not spoken to Guilfoyle directly but indicated he was aware of the reports. 'I didn't speak to her, no. But she will not be there. I didn't like what I read,' Trump said. He also acknowledged her past personal connection to his family, noting: 'She, I guess, dated my son a long time ago.'
The Allegations Behind the Resignation Request
The resignation request follows reports that Guilfoyle asked businessman Eric Deters for $100,000 to settle her American Express bill in July 2025. Deters described the request to CBS News as 'pay to play.' Guilfoyle's representatives contested this account, saying on 12 October that Deters allegedly owed her approximately $150,000 for speeches and consulting work completed well before her ambassadorship, according to reports. Democrats on the Senate and House foreign affairs committees have since called on the State Department to formally investigate her conduct during her time in Greece.
Guilfoyle's Claimed Achievements in Greece
In her statement, Guilfoyle listed what she described as key accomplishments of her tenure, including helping secure agreements to expand American liquefied natural gas exports to Europe, advancing the so-called Vertical Corridor initiative aimed at reducing Europe's dependence on Russian energy, and strengthening the US-Greece defence partnership within the NATO framework. She also cited expanded opportunities for American business investment in the region.
What Happens Next
Neither the White House nor the State Department has announced who will lead the US Embassy in Athens on an interim basis. Guilfoyle, a former Fox News host who was previously married to California Governor Gavin Newsom, now faces the prospect of a congressional inquiry into her conduct. The episode marks a rare and publicly acrimonious exit for a sitting US ambassador appointed by the current administration, and the political and legal fallout is expected to continue in the weeks ahead.
Point of View
Whether proven or not, now gives congressional Democrats a tangible hook for a broader inquiry into ambassador conduct. The real question is not whether Guilfoyle survives this — she won't, as an envoy — but whether the State Department's response is substantive enough to deter similar conduct in other politically appointed posts.
NationPress
14 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why was Kimberly Guilfoyle asked to resign as US Ambassador to Greece?
The White House asked Guilfoyle to resign following reports that she had requested businessman Eric Deters for $100,000 to pay her American Express bill in July 2025, a request Deters described to CBS News as 'pay to play.' Guilfoyle denied the allegations, with her representatives stating Deters owed her around $150,000 for speeches and consulting work done before her ambassadorship.
What did Kimberly Guilfoyle say in response to the allegations?
Guilfoyle posted a statement on X flatly denying the allegations, saying: 'These allegations are false, and I intend to vigorously defend my name, my reputation, and my integrity.' She acknowledged her tenure was ending but reaffirmed her loyalty to President Trump and the America First movement.
What did President Trump say about Guilfoyle's resignation?
President Trump told reporters on the South Lawn that he had not spoken to Guilfoyle directly but confirmed she 'will not be there,' saying he 'didn't like what he read.' He acknowledged her past personal connection to his family, noting she had 'dated my son a long time ago.'
Who will lead the US Embassy in Athens after Guilfoyle's departure?
As of 13 October 2026, neither the White House nor the State Department has announced who will lead the US Embassy in Athens on an interim basis. The transition arrangements remain unclear.
Who is Kimberly Guilfoyle?
Kimberly Guilfoyle, 57, is a former Fox News host and attorney who was previously married to California Governor Gavin Newsom. President Trump appointed her as US Ambassador to Greece in December 2024. She had no prior diplomatic experience before the appointment.
