Kimberly Guilfoyle has resigned as the US ambassador to Greece after the White House asked her to leave the post. The decision came after reports about a request for money from a Republican donor raised questions about her conduct.
White House press secretary Katie Zacharia confirmed the move on Tuesday. She said the administration had asked Guilfoyle to resign. She also praised her work and wished her well.
President Donald Trump said Guilfoyle had done a good job. However, he added that he did not like what he had read in recent reports. He also played down his personal ties to her.
Guilfoyle was once engaged to Trump’s eldest son, Donald Trump Jr. Trump told reporters that she was not a member of his family and had dated his son years ago.
In a social media post, Guilfoyle said her time as ambassador was coming to an end. She vowed to defend her name, reputation and integrity.
She said false claims would not define her years of public service. Her statement came as reports about a possible request for personal financial help drew fresh attention.
Republican donor Eric Deters said Guilfoyle asked him to send her $100,000 to pay off her American Express credit card. He said the request came shortly before her Senate confirmation hearing in July 2025.
Messages provided by Deters reportedly showed that Guilfoyle promised to support him in Trump’s political circle if he sent the money. The reports raised questions about the line between private dealings and public service.
The claims have not resulted in a public finding of criminal wrongdoing. Guilfoyle has said she will defend herself against what she calls false accusations.
Guilfoyle was among the first ambassadors nominated during Trump’s second term. Her time in Athens drew attention because of her public profile and active social life.
She appeared on the cover of Vogue Greece and attended parties around the Greek capital. Last year, she said her social activity showed her commitment to her diplomatic role.
In her resignation post, Guilfoyle praised her work on energy and security. She said she was proud of efforts to expand US liquefied natural gas exports to Europe. She also highlighted work to strengthen defense ties with NATO partners.
However, reports about possible conflicts of interest caused concern in Greece. Some residents questioned the choice of a high-profile political figure for the diplomatic post.
Maria Stefanou, a 68-year-old retiree in Athens, criticized the appointment. She said the reports suggested that the Trump administration placed little importance on Greece. Her remarks reflected frustration over the effect of the case on ties between the two countries.
Greece’s foreign ministry declined to comment on Guilfoyle’s departure. Opposition parties said the reports raised questions about foreign influence in Greek politics and the role of business interests.
Dimitris Mantzos, a spokesman for Pasok, the main center-left opposition party, said the decision to remove Guilfoyle gave weight to the concerns raised by the reports. He argued that the case pointed to diplomacy shaped by private interests rather than clear public goals.
Mantzos also said his party had asked for details about energy and defense agreements signed during a recent visit by US Secretary of State Marco Rubio.
Guilfoyle welcomed Rubio when he arrived in Athens. The two spent much of the visit together, as is common when a senior US official travels abroad.
Rubio defended Guilfoyle when asked about the reports. He called her a strong ambassador. But after the report about Deters appeared shortly before Rubio left Greece, he declined to discuss the claims. He said the story had been published only a few hours earlier.
Guilfoyle’s resignation marks a sharp turn in her public career. Before becoming ambassador, she was a television personality and legal analyst. She had also worked as a prosecutor.
Her personal life has long drawn public attention. She was married to Gavin Newsom, now California’s governor, when he was mayor of San Francisco. They divorced in 2006. Their marriage once drew attention as a high-profile union between two figures linked to American politics.
Her departure now puts fresh focus on the Trump administration’s choice of diplomatic officials. It also raises questions about how Washington will manage its ties with Greece on energy, defense and trade.
The case may add to wider debate about personal ties and private interests in public service. Guilfoyle says she will defend her reputation, while Greek opposition figures continue to seek details about agreements made during her time in Athens.
