Kimberly Guilfoyle resigns as ambassador to Greece after White House asks her to leave amid misconduct allegations

What happened

Kimberly Guilfoyle resigned as U.S. ambassador to Greece on Tuesday after the White House publicly asked her to step down, ABC News and NPR reported. The request came from new White House press secretary Katie Zacharia at her first briefing. "We have asked Ambassador Guilfoyle to resign," Zacharia said, according to ABC News, adding that Guilfoyle had been a wonderful asset to the team.

NPR reported that Guilfoyle announced within two hours, in a post on X, that she was leaving. A White House official later confirmed it had received her formal resignation, ABC News reported. She had held the post for nearly a year.

The allegations against her

The credit card bill claim

Eric Deters, a former lawyer, conservative media personality and Trump donor, alleged that Guilfoyle asked him to pay her $100,000 credit card bill in July 2025, days before her Senate confirmation hearing, ABC News reported. The Wall Street Journal first reported his claim, citing text messages, that she promised access to administration officials in return. Guilfoyle's attorney disputed the messages' authenticity to the Journal without giving specifics.

Gifts, travel and conduct in Athens

Since late September, the Journal has also reported an alleged threat to a host country official, acceptance of improper gifts and services, and boasting about private jet trips paid for by Greek businessmen, according to NPR and ABC News. NPR said the Journal's first report described her telling reception guests the U.S. could undermine the Greek government and promoting one Greek construction and energy company. The British tabloid The Daily Mail reported she had alienated embassy staff.

Her response

"These allegations are false, and I intend to vigorously defend my name, my reputation, and my integrity," Guilfoyle wrote on X. Her lawyers, David Schwartz and Jesse Binnall, said the money sought from the donor was payment owed for earlier public appearances and speaking engagements, NPR reported. They said she followed State Department guidance before each private plane trip, and an embassy spokesperson said she "faithfully followed State Department ethics and gift reporting guidelines," according to ABC News.

How the administration responded

Trump distances himself

President Donald Trump said Monday he was considering firing Guilfoyle, ABC News reported. On Tuesday he told ABC News she was not a member of his family and had dated his son a long time ago, adding "we didn't like what we were reading." Guilfoyle, a former Fox News host and California prosecutor, was once married to California Gov. Gavin Newsom and later engaged to Donald Trump Jr.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio initially defended her, saying "Our ambassador has been a strong ambassador here," according to NPR. He later declined to comment on the reports, saying he did not know if they were true.

Investigation and reaction

Two officials told ABC News the State Department's Office of Inspector General is investigating. NPR reported that a second official could not say whether a formal probe had begun, and the State Department declined to comment. U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia Jeanine Pirro said the Justice Department would likely wait for the inspector general's inquiry, ABC News reported.

Rep. Gregory Meeks, Sen. Jeanne Shaheen and Rep. Robert Garcia, all Democrats, had called for an investigation, NPR reported. In Greece, opposition parties had urged the Foreign Ministry to summon Guilfoyle, while Foreign Minister Giorgos Gerapetritis said that was not necessary. More national coverage is in our Nation section.

Why the post matters

NPR noted that Greece's location gives it a growing role on energy issues, as the war with Iran has pushed up global oil prices. Greek-registered tankers regularly travel the Strait of Hormuz and the Red Sea, and Greece could serve as a pipeline route for liquefied natural gas into the Balkans. Guilfoyle had emphasized energy, though her ties to energy executives were part of the controversy, NPR reported.

What to watch next

• Whether the State Department inspector general opens or continues a formal investigation into the allegations.
• Whether information from the inspector general is shared with the Justice Department, which Pirro said would wait on that inquiry.
• Guilfoyle's stated plan to defend herself against the allegations, which her lawyers deny.