President Donald Trump told reporters on Monday that he is "looking at" potentially firing U.S. Ambassador to Greece Kimberly Guilfoyle amid reports concerning her conduct, while adding, "we're not happy."
His remarks come as prediction market site Kalshi shows rising odds for her to be ousted by the end of the year.
The rising odds and remarks from the president come after Senate Majority Whip John Barrasso said he expected an investigation into the reports, saying that it is "concerning." The Associated Press (AP) reported over the weekend that both Trump and Secretary of State Marco Rubio are “extremely pissed off” about Guilfoyle's reported conduct and are likely deciding her future this week, citing a senior U.S. official.
Guilfoyle's reported conduct included allegations that she asked a Republican donor to wire her $100,000 for her credit card statement before her Senate confirmation hearing. Additional reporting has speculated about alleged luxury travel and her relationships with Greek business figures.
Newsweek reached out to the White House and Guilfoyle's attorney Jesse Binnall via email on Monday night for additional comment.
What Prediction Markets Show
According to Kalshi, odds that Guilfoyle will be out as ambassador before November 1, 2026, were at 43.6 percent at 6 p.m. Sunday. By 8 p.m. Monday, the odds rose to 73.9 percent. Similarly, odds for before December 1, 2026, rose from 79.9 percent at 6 p.m. Sunday to 85 percent by 8 p.m. Monday.
Odds for Guilfoyle to be out before January 1, 2027, also rose from 70.6 percent on Sunday evening to 86.4 percent by 8 p.m. Monday. Prediction market site Polymarket shows a 73 percent chance that Guilfoyle will be out by October 31 and a 78 percent chance by December 31.
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Guilfoyle's Lawyers Speak Out Amid Allegations
The allegations against Guilfoyle, who was formerly engaged to Donald Trump Jr., came under renewed scrutiny last week after The Wall Street Journal reported that text messages allegedly showed her asking longtime Trump donor Eric Deters to pay $100,000 for her American Express bill in exchange for access to senior administration officials.
According to the AP, Guilfoyle's lawyers, David Schwartz and Jesse Binnall, denied Guilfoyle did anything wrong and said the money was for payment of services including speaking engagements and public appearances that occurred before her nomination.
“Ambassador Guilfoyle has served, and will continue to serve, with integrity, honor and distinction. We are evaluating all available legal remedies to collect this debt and any other potential causes of action,” the lawyers added, according to the AP.
Regarding alleged flights on private planes, the lawyers said that Guilfoyle “sought, obtained and followed State Department guidance and followed the Department’s travel regulations,” before the trips, the AP reports.
Political analyst Craig Agranoff told Newsweek on Monday: "Trump saying he is looking into it and is not happy is the practical response. Ambassadors are political appointees. When reports raise questions about gifts, travel, or access, the White House has to treat them as a personnel issue first. If the allegations hold up, it becomes a stain because it involves someone with family ties to the president and a high profile post."
Agranoff added, "Loyalty does not erase the appearance of using the office. If the denials hold and the inspector general clears her, the story fades. Either way, leaving it open while Rubio is publicly frustrated keeps the problem alive. Presidents remove ambassadors for less. The fact that he has not ruled it out tells you the administration sees real exposure here."
The Journal reports that the State Department Office of the Inspector General is looking into whether Guilfoyle received favors or gifts from private businessmen. When asked about the reports while in Athens last week, Rubio said in part, “This is not the forum where we’re going to address it." He added, “Suffice it to say, our embassy here is doing a great job. Our ambassador's been a strong ambassador here.”
Vice President JD Vance said last week when confronted about the allegations, "These are allegations...let's actually see what the facts are, let's see what the truth is. And obviously if there was something bad that happened, then people have to suffer consequences for it.''
Newsweek reporters and editors used Martyn, our AI assistant, to produce this story. Learn more about Martyn here. Contact Newsweek editors on this story: Edward T. Cummins