US ambassador to Greece resigns amid misconduct allegations

Kimberly Guilfoyle has faced mounting allegations, including offering access to Trump officials in exchange for money.

US Ambassador to Greece Kimberly Guilfoyle speaks as President Donald Trump listens at a reception celebrating Greek Independence Day at the White House in Washington, DC, March 24, 2025 [File: Mark Schiefelbein/AP Photo]

United States President Donald Trump’s Ambassador to Greece, Kimberley Guilfoyle, has resigned following a series of allegations of misconduct, including claims that she offered a political donor access to senior administration officials in exchange for money.

“We have asked Ambassador Guilfoyle to resign,” White House press secretary Katie Zacharia told reporters earlier on Tuesday. “She has been a wonderful asset to the team, and we wish her well.”

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The announcement comes after weeks of damaging reports about Guilfoyle’s conduct.

Shortly after Zacharia’s comments, Guilfoyle posted on social media that she was resigning.

“While my time as Ambassador may be coming to an end, my commitment to President Trump, the America First movement, and the country I love will never end,” she wrote.

She also denied the allegations against her.

“These allegations are false, and I intend to vigorously defend my name, my reputation, and my integrity,” she said.

According to The Wall Street Journal, Guilfoyle asked a Trump donor to cover a $100,000 credit card bill shortly before her congressional confirmation hearing, promising him access to administration officials in return.

The newspaper also reported that she told guests at a reception that she could use US influence to undermine the Greek government, promoted the interests of a Greek construction and energy company, and allowed one of its lobbyists to attend private diplomatic meetings.

Guilfoyle’s lawyers have said the money she sought was payment for previous speaking engagements and public appearances that she had not received.

Trump had signalled on Monday that he was considering removing her from the post.

“Well, we’re looking at it,” he told reporters. “We’re not happy.”

Secretary of State Marco Rubio initially defended Guilfoyle, calling her a “strong ambassador,” but later declined to comment on the allegations and criticised reporters for asking about them.

Guilfoyle is a former Fox News host and California prosecutor. She is the former wife of California Governor Gavin Newsom and was previously engaged to Trump’s eldest son, Donald Trump Jr.

金伯利·吉尔福伊尔面临着越来越多的指控，包括以金钱换取接触特朗普政府官员的机会。

2025年3月24日，美国驻希腊大使金伯利·吉尔福伊尔在华盛顿白宫举行的庆祝希腊独立日招待会上发表讲话，美国总统唐纳德·特朗普在一旁聆听。[图片：Mark Schiefelbein/AP Photo]

美国总统唐纳德·特朗普的驻希腊大使金伯利·吉尔福伊尔在一系列不当行为指控后辞职，其中包括她向一名政治捐助者提供接触高级政府官员的机会以换取金钱的指控。

白宫新闻秘书凯蒂·扎卡里亚周二早些时候告诉记者：“我们已要求吉尔福伊尔大使辞职。她一直是团队的宝贵财富，我们祝她一切顺利。”

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此前数周，有关吉尔福伊尔行为的负面报道层出不穷，随后才发布了这一声明。

扎卡里亚发表评论后不久，吉尔福伊尔就在社交媒体上发帖宣布辞职。

“虽然我担任大使的任期即将结束，但我对特朗普总统、美国优先运动以及我所热爱的国家的承诺永不改变，”她写道。

她也否认了对她的指控。

“这些指控都是不实的，我将坚决捍卫我的名誉、声誉和正直，”她说。

据《华尔街日报》报道，吉尔福伊尔在国会确认听证会前不久，要求一位特朗普的捐款人支付 10 万美元的信用卡账单，并承诺作为回报，让她有机会接触政府官员。

该报还报道称，她曾在一次招待会上告诉宾客，她可以利用美国的影响力来破坏希腊政府，她还为一家希腊建筑和能源公司谋取利益，并允许该公司的一名说客参加私人外交会议。

吉尔福伊尔的律师表示，她所要求的款项是她之前演讲和公开露面活动所应得的报酬，但她并未收到这些款项。

特朗普周一曾暗示，他正在考虑解除她的职务。

“我们正在调查此事，”他告诉记者。“我们对此并不满意。”

国务卿马可·卢比奥最初为吉尔福伊尔辩护，称她是一位“强有力的大使”，但后来拒绝就这些指控发表评论，并批评记者询问此事。

吉尔福伊尔曾是福克斯新闻主持人，也曾担任加州检察官。她是加州州长加文·纽森的前妻，此前曾与特朗普的长子小唐纳德·特朗普订婚。