White House asks Kimberly Guilfoyle to leave her post at the US embassy in Greece

The White House has asked Kimberly Guilfoyle to step down as United States ambassador to Greece following reports of inappropriate conduct and possible violations during her diplomatic tenure.

Katie Zacharia, the new White House spokesperson, announced the decision on Tuesday at her first press briefing.

“We have asked Ambassador Guilfoyle to resign,” Zacharia said. She added that Guilfoyle had been a valuable asset to the team and wished her success in the future. The ambassador’s representatives did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

The request for her departure follows the publication of allegations that Guilfoyle may have sought payments in exchange for access to US administration officials before the Senate confirmed her appointment. She has also been accused of accepting luxury gifts while in office and involving a lobbyist for a Greek construction company in official meetings.

Guilfoyle’s lawyers have denied the allegations that she sought money and said reports about her travel were misleading. They said the ambassador had complied with federal rules on accepting and declaring gifts.

One of the most serious allegations was made by Eric Deters, a former Donald Trump donor. He claims that Guilfoyle sent him a message asking him to transfer $100,000 to pay off an American Express credit card, just days before her Senate confirmation.

Deters said Guilfoyle had promised him ongoing support within the Trump administration if he sent her the requested amount.

“There is no doubt that this was a quid pro quo arrangement,” Deters told CNN journalist Jake Tapper last week.

According to Deters, the money was not transferred because he did not have the necessary liquidity at the time.

In a statement to CNN, the ambassador’s lawyers described Deters’ claims as untrue. They said he owed Guilfoyle payments for speeches and consulting services.

“As Ms. Guilfoyle was preparing to leave the private sector to serve the public, she did what any professional would do: she tried to collect outstanding payments. Asking a client to pay for work performed is not corruption,” the lawyers said in their statement.

On Monday, US President Donald Trump had confirmed that the administration was considering removing Guilfoyle from her ambassadorial post.

“We’re looking into it. Yes, we’re not happy,” Trump told reporters as he was leaving the White House.

Guilfoyle, who was engaged for four years to Donald Trump Jr., the US president’s eldest son, was sworn in as ambassador in September 2025.

The first reports about the suspected cash-for-favors scheme were published by The Wall Street Journal while US Secretary of State Marco Rubio was visiting Greece.

During his stay in Athens, Rubio attended several events with Guilfoyle and described her as a “strong ambassador.” He refused to accept the allegations at face value, warning that media reports should not automatically be considered true.

“You think that just because a source told you something and you reported it, it is the absolute truth. It is not the absolute truth,” Rubio said before leaving Greece, as Guilfoyle stood beside him.

The matter has prompted reactions from Democrats in the US Congress, who have called for investigations to be launched.

Gregory Meeks, the top Democrat on the House Foreign Affairs Committee, called for Guilfoyle to testify before the committee.

Meeks said it was necessary to establish whether the ambassador had also sought funds from other sources.

Meanwhile, a source familiar with the matter said the US State Department’s Office of Inspector General (OIG) was investigating Guilfoyle over the allegations of inappropriate conduct.

The allegations remain under investigation, while Guilfoyle, through her lawyers, has denied any alleged wrongdoing.