Trump admin asks its Greece ambassador to resign amid 'abuse of power' complaints

President Donald Trump has requested that Kimberly Guilfoyle step down as the United States ambassador to Greece, according to White House press secretary Katie Zacharia during her inaugural press conference. The move comes in response to multiple allegations of misuse of authority against Guilfoyle, who was previously engaged to Donald Trump Jr. for several years. Zacharia affirmed that Guilfoyle has been a valuable asset to the administration, but expressed the need for her to depart amid the ongoing investigations.

The allegations, exclusively reported by The Wall Street Journal, touch upon Guilfoyle's behavior both pre- and post-her appointment as ambassador to Greece. One of the most serious accusations involves businessman Eric Deters, a Trump supporter and donor, claiming that Guilfoyle requested a $100,000 American Express bill shortly before her Senate confirmation hearing in July 2025.

According to Deters' messages to news outlets, Guilfoyle allegedly asked him to transfer the funds directly to the credit card company, suggesting that this transaction would go unnoticed. Deters stated that he did not make the payment.

Guilfoyle's legal team refuted the accusations, contending that the $100,000 was linked to fees for speaking engagements and public appearances that took place prior to her nomination. This denial has prompted the State Department's Office of Inspector General to investigate both Guilfoyle and the U.S. embassy in Greece, though it remains unclear whether these allegations constitute a breach of law or diplomatic protocol.

Further scrutiny has been directed at Guilfoyle's interactions with Greek business interests. Reports suggest she allegedly endorsed a particular Greek construction and energy company, while allowing its lobbyist to attend private diplomatic meetings. These actions have sparked concerns about potential conflicts of interest and unseemly access to U.S. diplomatic channels granted to private entities. However, these accounts alone have not definitively proven that Guilfoyle violated any laws or regulations.

Additionally, the controversy has encompassed allegations of lavish gifts, services, and luxury travel provided to Guilfoyle by business figures. A Wall Street Journal report detailed her displeasure at being barred from a Greek-themed event at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, where she reportedly demanded to attend and discussed luxury vacations in France with energy company executives. These reported incidents have raised questions regarding the propriety of such benefits for a serving U.S. ambassador.

Lastly, tensions between Guilfoyle and her staff at the U.S. embassy in Athens have emerged. According to the State Department's watchdog investigation, concerns regarding Guilfoyle's management style and conduct are being examined, although the department has not disclosed specific details of the inquiry. Kimberly Guilfoyle, a former Fox News host and former spouse of California Governor Gavin Newsom, has found herself at the center of this political storm, with her tenure as ambassador now uncertain.