Kimberly Guilfoyle, the U.S. ambassador to Greece, is facing criticism in Athens following allegations that she solicited a Republican donor to pay her American Express bill in exchange for access to senior Trump administration officials. The donor, Eric Deters, claimed that Ms. Guilfoyle asked him to wire $100,000 shortly before her confirmation hearing, a request he declined. These claims have added to a series of reports raising questions about her conduct during her tenure in Greece.

Ms. Guilfoyle, appointed in November during the second term of former President Donald Trump—who described her as “very nice” but expressed limited knowledge of the allegations—has maintained a high-profile presence in Greece, combining a visible social life with efforts to promote U.S. business interests, particularly in the energy sector. Her involvement in energy deals has previously attracted scrutiny, with media reports pointing to potential conflicts of interest.

Public reactions in Greece range from resigned acceptance to outright criticism. Some citizens acknowledge Greece’s geopolitical position as a smaller nation reliant on close cooperation with the United States, expressing that they have little choice but to accommodate the envoy assigned by Washington. “Greece is not a major power,” said Petros Malliaros, a freelance lighting technician. Others, such as Anta Rapaki, a former health care worker, criticized the decision to send Ms. Guilfoyle, viewing it as indicative of Greece’s perceived secondary status in U.S. foreign policy.

Further controversy surrounds a reported comment Ms. Guilfoyle made at a March dinner in Athens, where she allegedly suggested the possibility of the U.S. replacing the Greek government. Both her legal representatives and Greek officials have denied that such a statement was made. Greek Foreign Minister George Gerapetritis emphasized on Friday that there was no basis for claims of threats against the Greek government and stated that summoning the ambassador for an explanation would only provoke unnecessary diplomatic tensions. A government spokesman affirmed that the Greek government does not tolerate any insinuations of interference.

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, during a visit to Athens, described Ms. Guilfoyle as “an incredibly effective advocate” who had successfully advanced American energy interests in southeastern Europe. He declined to comment directly on the allegations against her. The U.S. Embassy in Athens referred inquiries to the State Department in Washington, which did not issue a response.

Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis has maintained a cooperative stance toward the Trump administration amid these developments, emphasizing the importance of stable U.S.-Greece relations on security and other strategic issues. Analysts note that as long as Ms. Guilfoyle enjoys backing from top U.S. officials, the Greek government is likely to defer to Washington’s decisions.

However, opposition voices in Greece’s leftist factions have demanded accountability and greater transparency. Syriza lawmaker Rena Dourou warned that “favors from Trump’s America come with a price tag,” questioning the ultimate cost to Greek citizens of the ambassador’s actions and U.S. influence.

The situation highlights ongoing tensions in the diplomatic relationship, reflecting broader concerns about the dynamics between smaller allied nations and more powerful global actors.