US President Donald Trump has asked ambassador Kimberly Guilfoyle to resign following reports that she sought payment of a large credit card bill from a donor in exchange for access to his administration, allegations she denies.
US President Donald Trump has asked his ambassador to Greece, Kimberly Guilfoyle, to resign following allegations of misconduct, including claims that she asked a Trump donor to pay a large credit card bill in exchange for access to the administration.
The decision was confirmed by White House Press Secretary Katie Zacharia during her first briefing with journalists, where she took three questions.
Speaking to reporters outside the White House, Trump said Guilfoyle had performed well in Greece but that he was unhappy with reports about her conduct.
“She was doing a good job, but we didn't like what we were reading,” Trump said, adding that he had not yet spoken to her.
Guilfoyle, a former fiancée of Trump's son Donald Trump Jr, denied the allegations and said she intended to defend her reputation.
“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,” she said in a statement posted on X.
“My gratitude and respect for President Trump and Secretary Rubio remain unwavering. I am proud of what we accomplished together, and I will always be a loyal supporter of President Trump and his mission to Make America Great Again,” she added.
Addressing the allegations reported by The Wall Street Journal and other media outlets, Guilfoyle said they were false and vowed to “vigorously defend my name, my reputation, and my integrity”.
The controversy follows a September report by The Wall Street Journal that also drew criticism in Greece over Guilfoyle's alleged remarks about American influence over foreign governments.
The newspaper reported that, during a dinner in Athens in March, Guilfoyle suggested the United States could bring down governments, including Greece's. She reportedly said, “We can do that to any country we want. We can do that here,” referring to the prospect of the Romanian government collapsing.
Guilfoyle's lawyer disputed the newspaper's characterisation of the exchange. The Greek government also denied that it had been threatened.
Greek opposition parties had called for explanations over the report, while concerns were also raised about Guilfoyle's reported role in promoting American liquefied natural gas exports through Greece and the wider Balkan region.
Greek government spokesman Pavlos Marinakis said there had never been an issue of the government being threatened, while Foreign Minister Giorgos Gerapetritis rejected calls to summon Guilfoyle to the foreign ministry over the incident.
The allegations have raised questions about Guilfoyle's conduct and the nature of US diplomatic influence in Greece, although she has denied wrongdoing.