Kimberly Guilfoyle to Step Down Following White House Request

Kimberly Guilfoyle, the U.S. Ambassador to Greece, is preparing to resign after being asked to do so by the White House. The decision follows the emergence of allegations that Guilfoyle requested $100,000 from an associate to cover her American Express bill prior to her Senate confirmation hearing in 2025.

Allegations and White House Response

The controversy centers on text messages shared by businessman Eric Deters, who claims Guilfoyle asked for the sum so the payment would not appear on her financial disclosure forms. Deters, speaking with CBS News, described the situation as “pay to play,” noting that he had sought Guilfoyle’s assistance with access to Trump administration officials. According to two sources, the White House press secretary, Katie Zacharia, stated during a briefing on Tuesday, “We have asked Ambassador Guilfoyle to resign. She has been a wonderful asset to the team, and we wish her well.”

Guilfoyle Confirms Resignation and Denies Allegations

Soon after the White House announcement, Guilfoyle posted on X confirming her intention to step down. She stressed her continued commitment to former President Trump and the America First movement, while also denying the allegations and vowing to defend her name. “Serving as the United States Ambassador to Greece has been the honor of a lifetime,” she wrote, expressing gratitude to President Trump and Secretary of State Marco Rubio for the opportunity.

Senate Confirmation and Associated Claims

Guilfoyle faced her Senate confirmation hearing in July 2025 and was confirmed in September. The allegations surfaced when Deters told CBS News about the request to wire money to cover her American Express payment, raising concerns regarding transparency and ethics during the confirmation process. Deters asserted he could not comply with the request, claiming he lacked the funds and citing his wife's opposition as an excuse.

Additional Reports and White House Fallout

The Wall Street Journal first reported the text messages revealing the alleged financial request. Further reporting indicated that Guilfoyle had boasted about luxury travel in Greece paid for by local tycoons and had expressed frustration over being excluded from a dinner held for Eric Trump during the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland.

In the days leading up to her resignation, sources indicated that Guilfoyle was reluctant to step down, but the publicized briefing left her with little alternative. President Trump had commented to reporters the previous day that he was “not happy” with Guilfoyle and was “looking at” her potential dismissal. No replacement had been named for the ambassador position as of Tuesday. Guilfoyle reportedly has few remaining allies within the Trump administration, with her former fiancé, Donald Trump Jr., maintaining only polite but distant contact.

State Department and Further Developments

CBS News reached out to the State Department for comment regarding Guilfoyle's resignation. There has been no official response or confirmation of potential successors as the situation develops. The matter has highlighted concerns surrounding ambassadorial appointments and the ethical scrutiny they receive during and after the confirmation process.

Source: cbsnews.com.