Allegations Against U.S. Ambassador Kimberly Guilfoyle Prompt Consideration of Dismissal

<p>U.S. Ambassador to Greece Kimberly Guilfoyle may face dismissal following reports that she sought a six-figure credit card bailout from a Trump donor while offering access to administration officials, amid growing allegations regarding her conduct in Athens.</p><p>President Donald Trump and Secretary of State Marco Rubio are reportedly displeased with Guilfoyle’s actions and are considering her removal, according to a report by The Associated Press, citing a senior U.S. official.</p><p>The official indicated that a decision regarding her status could be made this week after the Columbus Day holiday. No confirmation of her departure has been issued.</p><p>Guilfoyle, who was previously engaged to Donald Trump Jr., has come under scrutiny after The Wall Street Journal reported that she requested Trump donor Eric Deters to pay off a $100,000 American Express bill shortly before her Senate confirmation hearing.</p><p>Messages reviewed by the Journal revealed that Guilfoyle asked Deters to wire the funds directly to American Express, claiming the transaction would not leave a paper trail, while offering to assist him in gaining access to senior Trump administration officials. Deters stated he did not make the payment.</p><p>Guilfoyle's attorney, Jesse Binnall, has disputed the authenticity of the messages.</p><p>These allegations follow an earlier investigation by the Journal into Guilfoyle's conduct in Greece, which included claims that she promoted the interests of Greek construction and energy company Aktor Group and allowed its registered lobbyist, Christos Marafatsos, to accompany her to private diplomatic meetings with senior officials.</p><p>The Journal also reported that Guilfoyle suggested during a dinner with Greek officials that the U.S. would undermine their government, referencing political developments in Romania. Greece's foreign minister has stated there was no need to summon Guilfoyle for clarification as the country's energy minister denied any threat had been made.</p><p>Additionally, the State Department's Office of Inspector General has opened an investigation into allegations regarding Guilfoyle's treatment of embassy employees, private travel, acceptance of gifts, and relationships with business interests, as reported by the Daily Mail.</p><p>Sources have described a hostile workplace environment where Guilfoyle allegedly threatened to fire employees and demoted members of her security detail over minor incidents, including an officer who reportedly did not respond to a 4 a.m. request for ice while she was vacationing in Mykonos.</p><p>The inspector general's office has not confirmed or denied the existence of an investigation. Binnall stated to the Daily Mail that any implication of wrongdoing by the Ambassador is unsupported.</p><p>The allegations have drawn attention from congressional Democrats, including Sen. Jeanne Shaheen, D-N.H., and Rep. Gregory Meeks, D-N.Y., who have called for a review of Guilfoyle's conduct. Meeks has suggested her removal if the allegations are substantiated.</p><p>Vice President JD Vance addressed the situation, urging caution against rushing to judgment while acknowledging that misconduct should have consequences.</p><p>Vance stated, "Let's actually see what the facts are. Let's see what the truth is," adding that if wrongdoing occurred, there should be consequences.</p><p>Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who visited Greece this week, declined to directly address the allegations but defended Guilfoyle's performance, stating, "Our ambassador has been a strong ambassador here." Rubio criticized media reports, asserting that they should not be taken as definitive truth.</p><p>Trump nominated Guilfoyle to the diplomatic position in December 2024. A former California prosecutor and Fox News Channel personality, she previously served as a prominent surrogate and fundraiser for the president.</p><p>Guilfoyle was engaged to Donald Trump Jr. for four years before their public split in December 2024, the same month Trump nominated her as ambassador to Greece.</p><p>She was also previously married to California Gov. Gavin Newsom, a Democrat, from 2001 to 2006.</p>