The White House publicly requested the resignation of Kimberly Guilfoyle, the U.S. ambassador to Greece, on Tuesday amid growing allegations of improper conduct. Guilfoyle announced her departure within hours of the request, stating she would “vigorously defend” her reputation against the accusations.
The decision came following several reports alleging Guilfoyle engaged in questionable actions before and during her tenure in Athens. These included claims of accepting improper gifts, threatening a host country official, and offering to leverage her influence within the U.S. administration in exchange for payment of a large credit card bill. The reports first emerged late last month, prompting an internal review and stirring significant controversy.
President Donald Trump addressed the situation shortly after Guilfoyle’s resignation was announced on her social media account, saying that while she had initially performed well in Greece, he was displeased with the reports surrounding her conduct. Trump also said he had not spoken to Guilfoyle but affirmed that she would no longer serve as ambassador.
The White House confirmed it had asked for her resignation, with newly appointed press secretary Katie Zacharia referring to Guilfoyle as a “wonderful asset” who had done “a good job” in Greece, but cited concerns about the recent revelations.
Guilfoyle’s legal team strongly denied the allegations. In a statement released Sunday, her attorneys asserted that requests for payment to a Trump donor pertained to unpaid fees for speaking engagements and public appearances predating her ambassadorial nomination. They also disputed claims related to her use of private aircraft, saying all travel adhered to State Department regulations and guidance.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who had initially defended Guilfoyle’s performance, refrained from further public comment as the controversy grew. During a recent departure from Athens, Rubio criticized media coverage of the allegations, stating that unconfirmed reports should not be treated as definitive.
The State Department’s inspector general was reported to be reviewing the allegations, although officials did not confirm the existence of a formal investigation. Such reviews can range from informal inquiries to full probes and may lead to disciplinary measures depending on the findings. The department declined to comment on the matter.
In Greece, opposition parties called on the Foreign Ministry to summon Guilfoyle to respond to the accusations, describing the issue as one of national dignity. The Greek Foreign Minister Giorgos Gerapetritis dismissed the need for a formal summons, emphasizing that Guilfoyle had been treated like any other ambassador in the country.
Guilfoyle’s resignation marks the conclusion of a rapid and high-profile dispute involving allegations of misconduct at a senior diplomatic level during the Trump administration. She maintained her innocence and affirmed her commitment to defending her integrity as she exited the post.