Trump envoy to Greece causes stir in Romania

By the Editorial Team · Wednesday, September 30, 2026

U.S. Ambassador Kimberly Guilfoyle sparked controversy after suggesting the U.S. can influence or overthrow foreign governments, referencing Romania's recent political collapse during a diplomatic event in Athens. Her subsequent meetings with Romania's Social Democratic Party have prompted calls for an investigation amid ongoing political instability and accusations of foreign interference.

Kimberly Guilfoyle, the United States ambassador to Greece and former fiancée of Donald Trump Jr., has sparked controversy in Romania after comments suggesting the U.S. has the capacity to influence or topple foreign governments. The remarks, reportedly made during a March 18 dinner at the U.S. embassy in Athens, appeared to reference the recent political upheaval in Romania.

According to accounts of the event, Guilfoyle told Greek Energy Minister Stavros Papastavrou that the U.S. “can do that to any country we want,” in apparent allusion to the collapse of Romania’s government earlier this year. Papastavrou responded by asserting that the U.S. could not replace Greece’s elected government. The dinner was attended by politicians, embassy staff, and military personnel, according to a source familiar with the matter.

Romania’s ruling coalition fell apart in May after the Social Democratic Party (PSD) exited the government and joined votes with the far-right opposition to unseat Prime Minister Elie Bolojan. Following the Athens event, Guilfoyle traveled to Bucharest, where she met with PSD members, including party chair Sorin Grindeanu and then-Energy Minister Bogdan Ivan. The nature of those meetings and whether any advice was given to prompt the coalition’s breakdown remain unclear.

The political fallout in Romania has been immediate. Siegfried Mureșan, a center-right European Parliament lawmaker seeking parliamentary support to become Romania’s next prime minister, described the meetings between Guilfoyle and the PSD as “conspiratorial” and called for an investigation. “The matter is extremely serious,” Mureșan stated, emphasizing the need for Grindeanu and his colleagues to clarify their intentions and discussions during those meetings.

Grindeanu dismissed allegations of collusion with the United States, stating that Bolojan’s removal was the result of domestic discontent with his governance. “Ilie Bolojan was not overthrown by the Americans, nor by the Loch Ness monster, nor by Bigfoot, but by... Romanians who said that he was governing poorly,” he said. Ivan accused the government of spreading “conspiracies” and accused former coalition partners of dishonesty.

Official responses to the situation have been measured. U.S. State Department officials declined to comment on the specifics but reiterated the strength of Washington’s strategic partnership with Romania, highlighting cooperation on energy security and defense. Meanwhile, Greek authorities rejected any suggestion that the U.S. threatened Greece’s government, affirming that such actions would never be tolerated and describing bilateral relations as “closer and more stable than ever.”

As Romania faces political uncertainty, with President Nicușor Dan potentially turning to the PSD to form a new government or calling early elections, the implications of Guilfoyle’s comments and interactions continue to draw scrutiny from both Romanian political figures and international observers.

This article was reported by synthesizing coverage from multiple independent news outlets to present a balanced, unbiased account. Read about our editorial standards. Spotted an error? Let us know.