The White House has called for the resignation of U.S. ambassador Kimberly Guilfoyle following several misconduct allegations. although she has dismissed the claims as false,Guilfoyle has indicated she will step down from her post in Greece.
A rapid ascent from Fox News to the Greek Embassy
Kimberly Guilfoyle's tenure as a diplomat follows a high-profile career in media as a co-host of The Five on Fox News. After being sworn in as ambassador on September 29, 2025, her position became a focal point of intense political scrutiny. Her background is deeply intertwined with the Trump family, having been the former fiancée of Donald Trump Jr. and the ex-wife of California Governor Gavin Newsom. This political lineage helped facilitate her rapid rise within the administration's diplomatic corps.
The $100,000 American Express request and the Deters coonnection
Financial scrutiny intensified after The Wall Street Journal reported that Guilfoyle allegedly pressured Trump donor Eric Deters to settle a $100,000 American Express bill. This request reportedly took place shortly before her Senate confirmation hearing in July 2025. according to messages reviewed by the Journal, Guilfoyle suggested the transaction be wired directly to the credit card company to avoid creating a paper trail. While Deters stated he never made the payment, Guilfoyle’s attorney, Jesse Binnall, disputed the authenticity of the messages. Binnall argued that the request was not an act of corruption, but rather an attempt to collect outstanding receivables for professional speaking engagements performed before her nomination.
Alleged ties to Aktor Group and Christos Marafatsos
The Greek construction and energy firm Aktor Group is at the center of allegations regarding improper diplomatic access. A report from The Wall Street Journal claimed that Guilfoyle allowed the company's registered lobbyist, Christos Marafatsos, to accompany her to private meetings with senior Greek officials. This pattern of behavior raised concerns about whether foreign business interests were gaining undue influence. While the Greek energy minister has denied that any threats were made regarding political developments in Romania during a dinner with officials, the incident has left a mark on her diplomatic standing.
Reports of a hostile embassy culture and the Mykonos ice incident
Embassy staff members have described a workplace characterized by hostility and the threat of termination. As reported by the Daily Mail, allegations include the demotion of security personnel for minor infractions, such as an officer failing to provide ice at 4 a.m. while the Ambassador was vacationing in Mykonos. These claims of misconduct, which include the improper acceptance of gifts and misuse of private travel, have drawn sharp criticism from congressional Democrats. Senator Jeanne Shaheen of New Hampshire and Representative Gregory Meeks of New York have both called for a formal review of her conduct.
The status of the Inspector General's investigation
It remains unverified whether the State Department's Office of Inspector General has officially launched a formal probe into these claims. While the Daily Mail reported that an investigation is underway regarding gift acceptance and private travel, the Inspector General's office has declined to confirm or deny the existence of such a file. Additionally, it is still unknown if Guilfoyle has submitted her official resignation following the request made by White House Press Secretary Katie Zacharia. The White House has referred inquiries back to the remarks made during Zacharia's first-ever press briefing on Tuesday.
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