Kimberly Guilfoyle is stepping down as U.S. ambassador to Greece after the White House asked her to resign, following weeks of reports that she pressed a Trump donor to pay off a personal credit card bill in exchange for access to administration officials.
The decision was announced Tuesday by Katie Zacharia, the new White House press secretary, during her first media briefing. "We have asked Ambassador Guilfoyle to resign, she has been a wonderful asset to the team and we wish her well," Zacharia said, offering no further detail. The move ends the diplomatic career of one of President Trump's longest-standing political allies and comes after Trump and Secretary of State Marco Rubio were reported to have grown furious over the allegations.
The most serious claim, first reported by the Wall Street Journal on October 8, centers on businessman Eric Deters. Citing Signal messages, the Journal reported that in July 2025, days before her Senate confirmation hearing, Guilfoyle pressed Deters to pay off a $100,000 American Express bill, assuring him the transfer "would not show up anywhere."
Honey please I need you to get this done for me today.
Kimberly Guilfoyle, in a Signal message to donor Eric Deters, July 2025
Guilfoyle allegedly offered to use her influence on Deters's tax and legal problems in return, telling him she had contacted the IRS commissioner and the Justice Department on his behalf. Deters has said he paid Guilfoyle roughly $300,000 over the years without receiving "one favor" in return, and told the outlet MS Now the request "absolutely was a quid pro quo." The Journal has also reported she accepted improper gifts and services, made an alleged threat to a host-country official, and promoted the interests of a Greek company during official engagements; the State Department's inspector general has separately been reviewing her conduct.
Guilfoyle, 57, a former Fox News host and the ex-fiancee of Trump's eldest son, Donald Trump Jr., was nominated to the Athens post in December 2024 and confirmed the following year after Senate Republicans used a procedural maneuver to break a Democratic filibuster. She became the first woman to serve as U.S. ambassador to Greece.
In a lengthy social media post, Guilfoyle confirmed her departure, describing the ambassadorship as the "honor of a lifetime" and denying the allegations as false.
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.
Kimberly Guilfoyle, in a post on X, Oct. 13, 2026
Her attorney, Jesse Binnall, has disputed the authenticity of the Signal messages cited by the Journal. Trump told reporters this week that Guilfoyle had "done a good job" but would "not be there" in Greece any longer, adding, "I didn't like what I read." It remains unclear who will be nominated to replace her, and whether the inspector general's review will produce further findings about her 18 months in Athens.
