Kimberly Guilfoyle has resigned as the United States ambassador to Greece after the White House asked her to leave amid allegations of improper and potentially illegal conduct.
The decision was announced by White House press secretary Katie Zacharia during her first briefing on Tuesday, shortly after Donald Trump said he was considering whether to fire Ms Guilfoyle.
“We have asked Ambassador Guilfoyle to resign,” Ms Zacharia told reporters. “She has been a wonderful asset to the team, and we wish her well.”
Kimberly Guilfoyle resigns as Greece ambassador
Mr Trump later confirmed that Ms Guilfoyle would leave the post, telling reporters: “She will not be there. I didn’t like what I read.” He had said on Monday that he was “looking at” firing her and that the administration was “not happy”.
In a statement posted on X, Ms Guilfoyle said serving as ambassador had been “the honour of a lifetime” and thanked Mr Trump and Secretary of State Marco Rubio for appointing her.
She denied the allegations and said she intended to “vigorously defend” her name, reputation and integrity.
“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 wrote.
Allegations surrounding the former ambassador
The controversy intensified after reports that Ms Guilfoyle had asked businessman Eric Deters to provide $100,000 towards her American Express bill while she was awaiting Senate confirmation in 2025.
Mr Deters said he had sought help from Ms Guilfoyle in gaining access to senior Trump administration officials, including the attorney general and the commissioner of the Internal Revenue Service.
Other reports have alleged that Ms Guilfoyle threatened a Greek official, accepted improper gifts and services, and used private aircraft in circumstances that raised questions about her conduct in office.
Her lawyers have denied any wrongdoing. They said the money she sought from Mr Deters related to unpaid fees for public appearances and speaking engagements arranged before her nomination, and rejected claims that her private travel breached State Department rules.
There was no immediate announcement of a successor to Ms Guilfoyle, who had served as the US ambassador in Athens since taking up the post last year.
