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FILE PHOTO: The former US Embassy in London’s Grosvenor Square, illustrating US diplomatic affairs.
Trump Asks US Ambassador to Greece Kimberly Guilfoyle to Resign
WASHINGTON/ATHENS — October 14, 2026
The White House has asked US Ambassador to Greece Kimberly Guilfoyle to resign following news reports alleging that she offered access to Trump administration officials in exchange for money, gifts and favors. The reports have raised concerns among US lawmakers and drawn attention to her conduct at the American embassy in Athens.
President Donald Trump said on Monday that he was considering removing Guilfoyle. On Tuesday, he told reporters that she had been doing a good job but that the administration was concerned by what had been reported. White House Press Secretary Katie Zacharia confirmed that Guilfoyle had been asked to resign and wished her well.
Guilfoyle denied wrongdoing in a post on X, saying the allegations were false. She said her support for Trump and Secretary of State Marco Rubio remained unchanged and pledged to defend her reputation and integrity.
The allegations stem from a series of reports published by The Wall Street Journal beginning last month. One report described Guilfoyle’s relationship with a lobbyist for a Greek energy company and alleged that she promoted the firm. Another cited audio recordings in which she reportedly discussed her connections with wealthy Greek businessmen while seeking an invitation to a Davos dinner honoring Eric Trump, the president’s son.
US businessman Eric Deters also told the newspaper that Guilfoyle had offered access to administration officials in exchange for money. He alleged that she had asked him to pay a $100,000 credit card bill. These claims have not been established as proven wrongdoing, and Guilfoyle has denied the allegations.
The British newspaper Daily Mail reported last week that the State Department’s internal watchdog was investigating complaints of inappropriate behavior from staff at the US embassy in Athens. The State Department and the embassy did not respond immediately to requests for comment. The Greek government has also not publicly commented on the allegations involving Guilfoyle’s tenure.
Guilfoyle, a former prosecutor in San Francisco, became a prominent adviser to Trump’s political movement and was previously engaged to his son Donald Trump Jr. Her tenure as ambassador attracted attention in Greece, where she appeared on the cover of Vogue Greece and attended events with local celebrities.
She also promoted US economic and energy interests, including agreements involving American liquefied natural gas exports and offshore gas exploration. During her time in Athens, however, some of her public statements created diplomatic tensions.
In her first interview with Greek media after arriving in November 2025, Guilfoyle said China should sell its 67% stake in the port of Piraeus. The port is an important part of China’s Belt and Road Initiative. China’s ambassador to Greece, Fang Qiu, responded by accusing the United States of having an outdated and harmful approach toward China.
Greece remains an important NATO ally of the United States, providing military facilities in the Eastern Mediterranean. It also leads a European Union maritime mission protecting commercial shipping in the Red Sea. During a visit to Athens last week, Rubio announced that the two countries were launching new information-sharing arrangements between their law enforcement agencies to combat terrorism.
Guilfoyle’s departure has also prompted questions from Greece’s political opposition. Dimitris Mantzos, foreign affairs spokesperson for the PASOK party, said the situation raised serious concerns and unanswered questions about the relationship between Greece and the United States.
The White House’s request for Guilfoyle to resign follows mounting scrutiny of her conduct and the allegations surrounding her diplomatic role. Guilfoyle has rejected the claims, while the reported investigations and complaints have not resulted in any publicly established finding of wrongdoing in the supplied report.
