White House asks US ambassador to Greece Kimberly Guilfoyle to resign amid allegations
The White House said on Tuesday, 13 October 2026, that it had asked Kimberly Guilfoyle to step down, after Wall Street Journal reports on alleged payment requests and luxury gifts. Guilfoyle calls the accusations false.
Request to resign
The White House said on Tuesday, 13 October 2026, that it had asked Kimberly Guilfoyle to resign as US ambassador to Greece. The announcement came from Katie Zacharia, who was speaking at her first briefing as White House press secretary. On Monday, 12 October, Trump told reporters the administration was looking at the matter, and his remarks signalled displeasure with the reports about her conduct.
Zacharia then delivered the decision in a formal statement to reporters.
We have asked Ambassador Guilfoyle to resign.
It was not immediately clear whether Guilfoyle had formally resigned, and the embassy in Athens did not respond to a request for comment.
What the reports allege
A series of Wall Street Journal stories, dating to late September, has described questionable conduct by Guilfoyle. According to the reports, she asked a Trump donor for $100,000 to pay a personal credit card bill, in exchange for access to senior figures in the administration. CNN reported that she confirmed the $100,000 request. The allegations also include accepting lavish gifts, allowing lobbyists into official meetings and travelling on private planes.
- Guilfoyle nominated as US ambassador to Greece
- Wall Street Journal begins reporting on her conduct
- Trump says the administration is looking at the matter and is not happy
- White House says it has asked Guilfoyle to resign
AP reported an alleged threat to a host country official, while US lawmakers voiced concern that she may have threatened to use American influence to undermine the Greek government. A later Wall Street Journal report said she had boasted at Davos earlier this year about two Greek businessmen who had paid for her luxury travel.
Denials and responses
Guilfoyle has not addressed the reports directly in detail. She posted on X that the accusations against her are false and that she would defend her name, reputation and integrity. She said serving the United States had been the honor of her life and thanked Trump and Secretary of State Marco Rubio for the post. Her lawyers said the $100,000 was payment for public appearances and speaking engagements that predated her nomination and had never been paid. They also said that before each trip on private planes she followed State Department guidance.
Trump said Guilfoyle was not part of his family and had dated his son, Donald Trump Jr., a long time ago. He said he had not spoken with her. Rubio initially defended her, saying she had been a strong ambassador, but he has since declined to comment publicly on the growing allegations, AP reported.
Oversight and open questions
The Office of the Inspector General at the State Department is keeping an investigation into the matters open, according to sources cited by Europa Press. Democrats in Congress have demanded that Guilfoyle appear before the House Foreign Affairs Committee, arguing that her departure does not exempt her from accountability. Adnkronos noted that she was nominated as ambassador in December 2024 and is a former partner of Donald Trump Jr. Her departure leaves the State Department inquiry and the congressional demand unresolved.
