US Ambassador to Greece Kimberly Guilfoyle resigns on Tuesday amid controversy over allegations of inappropriate conduct during her tenure, insisting the claims against her are false and vowing to defend her reputation.
Guilfoyle announced her departure on October 13, 2026, in a statement posted on X, thanking US President Donald Trump and Secretary of State Marco Rubio for the opportunity to represent the United States in Greece.
Her resignation follows reporting by The Wall Street Journal that raised questions about her conduct while serving as ambassador. Guilfoyle has rejected the allegations and says she intends to fight to clear her name.
“She has been a wonderful asset to the team and we wish her well,” White House Press Secretary Katie Zacharia said at a news conference, without providing further details about the departure.
Guilfoyle Denies Allegations
Among the most serious claims reported by The Wall Street Journal are allegations involving communications between Guilfoyle and Republican donor Eric Deters.
According to the newspaper’s reporting, messages attributed to Guilfoyle suggest she asked Deters for $100,000 and implied the payment could help him gain access to White House officials.
The reported exchange includes a response attributed to Deters declining the request.
The messages have not been independently authenticated for this article, and Guilfoyle disputes their authenticity through her lawyer, Jesse Binnall.
Binnall has also said the dispute concerns money allegedly owed to Guilfoyle for public appearances. Deters denies that he owes her the payment.
Separately, messages published by the Daily Mail allegedly show Guilfoyle expressing anger over photographs of her former fiancé, Donald Trump Jr., with socialite Bettina Anderson. Guilfoyle’s representatives dispute the authenticity of the messages attributed to her.
The allegations remain contested. Guilfoyle has publicly described them as false and says they will not define her decades of professional and public service.
Guilfoyle Defends Her Record in Greece
In her resignation statement, Guilfoyle highlighted what she described as achievements during her time representing Washington in Athens, particularly in energy, defence and economic cooperation.
She said the embassy had helped advance agreements to expand American liquefied natural gas exports to Europe, promote the Vertical Corridor energy route and strengthen the United States’ defence partnership with Greece, a key NATO ally.
Guilfoyle also pointed to efforts to expand opportunities for American businesses and investment across Southeast Europe.
“These accomplishments are a testament to President Trump’s bold leadership, Secretary Rubio’s commitment to American diplomacy, and the extraordinary men and women who serve our country every day,” she wrote.
Her statement framed the work as part of the Trump administration’s America First agenda, with an emphasis on strengthening American energy exports and reducing Europe’s dependence on Russian energy supplies.
Guilfoyle expressed gratitude to the Greek people for their hospitality and cooperation during her tenure.
Vows to Defend Her Reputation
Addressing the controversy directly, Guilfoyle said she would challenge the allegations against her.
“These allegations are false, and I intend to vigorously defend my name, my reputation, and my integrity,” she wrote.
She added that she would not allow the accusations to define her public service and reaffirmed her support for Trump and his political agenda.
Guilfoyle’s appointment as ambassador attracted attention because of her close ties to the Trump family. She was previously engaged to Donald Trump Jr., the president’s eldest son. Trump Jr. later married Bettina Anderson.
Guilfoyle’s departure now places the focus on the circumstances surrounding her resignation and the disputed allegations reported in the American media.
Neither the resignation announcement nor the White House comments provided further details about the process for selecting her successor.
