US President Donald Trump and Secretary of State Marco Rubio are considering the dismissal of US ambassador to Greece Kimberly Guilfoyle after reports of improper and possibly illegal conduct surfaced, according to an Associated Press article published on Monday.
The allegations against the ambassador include a $100,000 solicitation from a Trump donor in exchange for access to administration officials, promoting business interests and facilitating lobbying access for a Greek energy company, accepting lavish gifts, creating a hostile workplace, and overall behavior described as "pushing the bounds of what is considered appropriate for a top US representative."
According to Fox News, Guilfoyle boasted at the World Economic Forum in Davos about her close ties to Greek tycoons who were "bankrolling her high-rolling trips around the world."
They [Trump and Rubio] are "extremely pissed off," a senior US official told the AP; Rubio especially so, because he had just visited Athens, where Guilfoyle attended all of his events and "greeted him on his arrival with a bear hug as the allegations swirled."
At first, Rubio was dismissive of the claims levied against her. "You guys walk around thinking that because some source told you something and you reported it, it's the gospel. It's not the gospel," Rubio told reporters Thursday. A day earlier, he said, "Our ambassador has been a strong ambassador here."
Lawyers dispute reports, while Rubio grows increasingly frustrated
However, an official told the AP that the secretary of state "grew increasingly frustrated" as the reports multiplied.
Another US official said that the State Department's inspector general is looking into the allegations, though it is not confirmed whether a formal probe has been initiated.
Fox said that Guilfoyle has not addressed the reports directly, though her lawyers denied any wrongdoing, claiming that the $100,000 she was seeking in leaked text messages was a bid for payment for public appearances and speaking engagements that predate her ambassadorship.
Regarding alleged travel on private planes, her lawyers said Guilfoyle “sought, obtained and followed State Department guidance and followed the Department’s travel regulations,” prior to every trip.
“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,” her lawyers said.
Trump, Vance respond to the allegations with trepidation
When questioned by CNN about the allegations, President Trump offered little defense of the ambassador. “I just heard about it. Too bad. I mean, I don’t know,” Trump said. “I just heard a little bit about it. I don’t know too much, but she was always very nice.”
It's unclear whether there will be consequences; however, CNN reported that the president's allies have found the episode to be an embarrassment. CNN also said that Trump has repeatedly made clear he does not approve of allies profiting from their relationship with him.
US Vice President JD Vance was quoted as saying: "Of course I don’t like anybody selling access to another government official, certainly a high-level government official.”
He added that people shouldn't be tried in the court of public opinion, but appeared to support an investigation.
“Let’s see what the truth is. And obviously, if there was something bad that happened, then people have to suffer consequences for it," he said.
Guilfoyle, the first woman to hold the ambassadorship to Greece and Donald Trump Jr.'s ex-fiancée, assumed her post in November of 2025 after being nominated by the president in 2024.