Kimberly Guilfoyle has resigned as US ambassador to Greece after the White House asked her to leave amid allegations that she misused her diplomatic position and sought financial favours from a political donor.
White House press secretary Katie Zacharia confirmed on Tuesday that the administration had requested her resignation. President Donald Trump later said he had not liked what he had read about the allegations and that Guilfoyle would no longer remain in Athens.
Guilfoyle announced her departure less than two hours after the White House briefing, while rejecting the accusations against her. She said the claims were false and that she intended to “vigorously defend” her name, reputation and integrity.
Claims surrounding Kimberly Guilfoyle’s resignation
The allegations, reported in a series of Wall Street Journal investigations, include claims that Guilfoyle asked businessman Eric Deters to pay $100,000 towards a personal American Express bill while she was awaiting Senate confirmation.
Deters has said he was seeking access to senior Trump administration officials, including the attorney general and the IRS commissioner, and described the alleged request as a “pay to play” arrangement. Guilfoyle’s lawyers have denied wrongdoing and said any money discussed related to unpaid fees for public appearances and speaking engagements that took place before her nomination.
Other reports have raised questions over Guilfoyle’s dealings with a lobbyist linked to a Greek energy company, her alleged promotion of private commercial interests and the acceptance of gifts, hospitality and private-jet travel. The US Embassy in Athens has previously said she followed State Department rules on ethics and gift reporting.
The Senate Foreign Relations Committee had already called for a review of claims that Guilfoyle improperly advocated for a foreign company and allowed a registered lobbyist to attend official US government meetings. Senator Jeanne Shaheen warned that such conduct could undermine American credibility and create the appearance of a conflict of interest.
The State Department’s inspector general is also reviewing the allegations, according to reports. No findings of wrongdoing have been announced, and the Greek government has not publicly commented on the claims concerning Guilfoyle’s time as ambassador.
Guilfoyle, a former prosecutor and Fox News presenter, was appointed by Trump and took up the ambassadorial post in Athens last year. She is also a former fiancée of Donald Trump Jr and a long-standing political ally of the president.
In her resignation statement, Guilfoyle said her respect for President Trump and Secretary of State Marco Rubio remained unwavering, adding that serving as ambassador to Greece had been “the honour of a lifetime”.
