A $100,000 credit card bill, private jet flights and allegations of trading political access have brought down one of Donald Trump’s closest political allies. Kimberly Guilfoyle’s departure as US ambassador to Greece is also raising questions about American diplomatic influence over major energy projects in the Balkans.
WASHINGTON/ATHENS, Oct. 13 (BalkanView) – US President Donald Trump has asked Kimberly Guilfoyle to resign as ambassador to Greece following allegations that she sought $100,000 from a political donor in exchange for access to senior administration officials, ending the tenure of a prominent Trump ally whose diplomatic activities had also attracted scrutiny over energy deals in southeastern Europe.
The decision was announced on Tuesday by newly appointed White House Press Secretary Katie Zacharia, following reports alleging improper financial dealings and questions about Guilfoyle’s relationships with influential Greek businessmen.
Guilfoyle, a former Fox News presenter who was previously engaged to Donald Trump Jr., denied the allegations and pledged to defend her reputation.
Trump acknowledged the controversy when questioned by reporters outside the White House.
“She went to Greece, she was doing a good job, but we didn’t like what we were reading,” he said.
The White House confirmed that Guilfoyle had been asked to step down, although her subsequent statement left unclear whether she had formally accepted the request.
The $100,000 request that triggered the scandal
The controversy intensified after The Wall Street Journal reported on October 7 that Guilfoyle had sought $100,000 from Eric Deters, a longtime Trump supporter and former Kentucky congressional candidate, shortly before her Senate confirmation hearing in July 2025.
According to messages reviewed by the newspaper, Guilfoyle asked Deters to transfer money directly to her American Express account to settle a substantial credit card balance.
“It won’t show up anywhere if you wire money to American Express,” she allegedly wrote in a message sent through the encrypted messaging application Signal.
The newspaper reported that Guilfoyle offered to help Deters gain access to influential members of the Trump administration.
Deters subsequently described the proposed arrangement as a quid pro quo, alleging that Guilfoyle had promised political assistance in return for financial support.
He said he refused to make the payment.
Guilfoyle’s lawyers rejected the allegations, arguing that the money represented unpaid compensation for speaking engagements and other services performed before her nomination as ambassador.
The competing accounts have not been resolved through any publicly reported judicial finding.
Private jets and influential Greek businessmen
The controversy extended beyond the alleged credit card arrangement.
The Wall Street Journal also reported that Guilfoyle travelled on private aircraft provided by prominent Greek businessmen, raising questions about possible conflicts of interest and diplomatic ethics.
Among those identified was Alexandros Exarchou, head of Aktor, a major Greek construction and infrastructure group involved in projects linked to the import and distribution of American liquefied natural gas.
The newspaper reported that Guilfoyle had encouraged governments in the Balkans to cooperate with Aktor, while a registered lobbyist for the company accompanied her to diplomatic meetings.
Aktor’s lawyers denied that Guilfoyle had improperly promoted the company’s commercial interests.
The Journal also reported that Greek shipping magnate Nikolas Tsakos had provided private jet travel and paid for a luxury hotel stay in Paris.
Guilfoyle’s legal representatives maintained that she had sought and followed State Department guidance concerning private travel.
A US Embassy spokesperson previously said she had complied with applicable ethics and gift-reporting requirements.
Why the scandal matters for the Balkans
Guilfoyle’s departure carries significance beyond US-Greek diplomatic relations because Greece has become an important gateway for American liquefied natural gas entering southeastern Europe.
Washington has promoted greater access to US LNG as part of efforts to diversify regional energy supplies and reduce dependence on Russian gas.
Greece’s infrastructure, including LNG import terminals and cross-border pipeline connections, plays a central role in plans to transport gas northwards into the Balkans and potentially further into central and eastern Europe.
North Macedonia, Bulgaria and other countries in the region have been involved in efforts to strengthen these connections.
Against that background, the allegations concerning Guilfoyle’s relationships with Greek energy and infrastructure executives have raised questions about the distinction between legitimate American energy diplomacy and the promotion of particular private companies.
However, the reporting does not establish that any specific regional energy agreement was unlawful or that Balkan governments participated in improper arrangements.
Alleged remarks about changing governments
Guilfoyle had already faced criticism in Greece after reports about comments she allegedly made during a private dinner in Athens in March.
According to The Wall Street Journal, she suggested that the United States had the ability to bring down foreign governments, including Greece’s.
“We can do that to any country we want. We can do that here,” she reportedly said.
The remarks allegedly followed a discussion about political developments in Romania.
Greek Energy Minister Stavros Papastavrou reportedly challenged the comments, arguing that Washington could not replace a democratically elected Greek government.
Guilfoyle’s lawyer disputed the newspaper’s account.
The reports prompted Greek opposition parties to demand explanations from Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis’s government.
Government spokesman Pavlos Marinakis denied that the Greek government had been threatened, while Foreign Minister Giorgos Gerapetritis rejected calls to summon Guilfoyle to the foreign ministry.
The controversy nevertheless added to concerns about the relationship between American diplomatic influence and Greek domestic politics.
From Trump’s inner circle to Athens
Born in San Francisco in 1969, Guilfoyle began her professional career as a prosecutor before becoming a prominent television personality and political commentator.
She worked at Fox News and later became a high-profile supporter of Trump’s political movement.
Guilfoyle was previously married to California Governor Gavin Newsom, a Democrat, and later became engaged to Donald Trump Jr.
Their relationship ended in 2024.
She was sworn in as US ambassador to Greece in September 2025, taking up a diplomatic position at a time when Washington was seeking closer cooperation with Athens on defence, regional security and energy.
Her appointment was widely viewed as reflecting her longstanding connections to Trump’s political circle.
Guilfoyle vows to defend her reputation
Following the White House announcement, Guilfoyle issued a statement defending her record and rejecting the accusations.
“These allegations are false, and I intend to vigorously defend my name, my reputation, and my integrity,” she said.
She also expressed continued loyalty to Trump and Secretary of State Marco Rubio.
“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.
Her statement did not explicitly confirm that she had formally submitted her resignation.
The White House had not publicly detailed any disciplinary findings or announced a successor at the time of the reports.
Diplomatic fallout and unanswered questions
The removal of a politically connected ambassador represents a setback for the Trump administration’s diplomatic representation in Greece, a key NATO ally and strategic partner in southeastern Europe.
It also comes as Washington seeks to expand American energy exports and strengthen its influence over regional infrastructure and security arrangements.
The central questions now concern whether any ethics rules were breached, whether private business interests received preferential diplomatic treatment and whether the allegations will lead to further official scrutiny.
For Greece and the wider Balkans, the controversy highlights the importance of transparency in major energy projects involving governments, diplomatic representatives and private companies.
Guilfoyle denies wrongdoing, and the allegations against her remain unproven.