U.S. Ambassador to Greece Kimberly Guilfoyle Steps Down After White House Request

U.S. ambassador to Greece Kimberly Guilfoyle said she will resign after the White House told her to leave the post. New press secretary Katie Zacharia announced in her first briefing that the administration had asked Guilfoyle to step down and praised her as a valuable team member. In an X post, Guilfoyle wrote that even though her posting may end, her support for the president, the America First agenda, and the United States will continue. She also said recent accusations reported in the press are untrue and that she will fight to protect her reputation. President Donald Trump later told reporters that media coverage of her conduct prompted the resignation request, adding that she had performed well but the reports were unacceptable. He clarified that she is not a family member, noting a past relationship with his son. Guilfoyle’s year in Athens had been clouded by several Wall Street Journal stories. A September 25 article claimed she repeatedly pushed a Greek firm and brought a construction lobbyist into talks with foreign officials. An October 7 report said she asked donor Eric Deters to wire $100,000 in July 2025 to cover an American Express bill before a congressional hearing. Her lawyer Jesse Binnall said she has worked with many energy companies, not just one, and that she was paid for speaking engagements before her nomination. He disputed the authenticity of some messages cited by the newspaper but gave no details. A later Journal piece noted that in January she bragged about close ties to wealthy Greek businessmen while seeking an invitation to a dinner for Eric Trump.

Context

The resignation follows a pattern where diplomatic appointments face scrutiny when media reports raise questions about ethics or conflicts of interest. Such investigations can lead to pressure from the administration to maintain public trust in the foreign service.