Kimberly Guilfoyle announced on Tuesday, Oct. 13, 2026, that she would step down as U.S. ambassador to Greece after the White House requested her resignation. The decision follows reports alleging she sought personal payments from a donor in exchange for access to administration officials. White House press secretary Katie Zacharia confirmed the request during a briefing on Tuesday, stating that Guilfoyle had been an asset to the team.
The controversy stems from text messages between Guilfoyle and businessman Eric Deters first reported by the Wall Street Journal. Deters stated in an interview that in July 2025, Guilfoyle asked him to wire $100,000 to her American Express account. According to Deters, the request was intended to settle credit card debt so it would not appear on financial disclosure forms during her Senate confirmation process. Deters described the request as "pay to play" and noted he had sought help from Guilfoyle to contact the attorney general and the IRS commissioner. Deters said he did not pay the money.
Additional reports from the Wall Street Journal alleged that Guilfoyle boasted in January 2026 about Greek tycoons paying for her luxury travel and private jet trips. President Donald Trump told reporters on Monday, Oct. 12, that he was "not happy" and was considering firing her. On Tuesday, while traveling to Alaska, the president confirmed her departure, stating, "I didn't like what I read." Guilfoyle has denied the allegations, posting on X that she intends to "rigorously defend" her name while remaining committed to the country and the "America First" movement.
The primary change for the public is the removal of a confirmed head of mission and the cessation of her activities in Athens. Those following the administration will notice the absence of a figure who was previously engaged to Donald Trump Jr., though sources reported he no longer has much contact with her.
The next steps involve the formalization of Guilfoyle’s resignation and the start of a search for a new nominee for U.S. ambassador to Greece. Any new nominee will be required to undergo a Senate confirmation hearing, similar to the one Guilfoyle attended in mid-July 2025 before her September 2025 confirmation. As of Tuesday afternoon, no specific dates for a new nomination or further legal proceedings related to the allegations have been reported.