US President Donald Trump has confirmed that he is weighing the removal of Kimberly Guilfoyle, the US ambassador to Greece, following a string of damaging reports about her conduct in Athens. Speaking to reporters at the White House on Monday, Trump said: "We are looking into it. We are not satisfied."
The remarks mark the first public acknowledgment that Guilfoyle's position is in jeopardy. According to US media, Trump is expected to decide soon on the fate of the former fiancée of his eldest son, Donald Trump Jr. A senior US official told reporters on Sunday that Trump and Secretary of State Marco Rubio are "extremely outraged" by the allegations and are likely to act within the week, after Monday's Columbus Day holiday.
Ethics allegations and a robust denial
The Wall Street Journal has published a series of investigative pieces detailing alleged misconduct by Guilfoyle, a former prosecutor and Fox News host who became a prominent figure in the MAGA movement. The reports claim she threatened a Greek official, accepted inappropriate gifts and services, and offered to use her influence in the administration to settle a large credit card bill.
Guilfoyle has responded forcefully through her lawyers, flatly rejecting the accusations. Her legal team says the allegations originate from US businessman Eric Deters, who she claims owes her around $150,000 (€134,000) for speeches and consultancy work. She also says she previously turned down a $1 million (€893,000) offer from Deters to promote his personal court case during her time at Fox News.
On the gift and travel allegations, her team insists that all actions went through the appropriate approval channels within the State Department, and that no ethics rules were violated.
European implications
The controversy comes at a delicate time for US-Greece relations. Athens has been a key NATO ally and a hub for US military cooperation in the Eastern Mediterranean. The ambassador's role is central to managing that partnership, and a prolonged vacancy or a messy dismissal could complicate diplomatic work.
Greece, meanwhile, is dealing with its own domestic challenges, from energy price surges to a planned social media ban for under-15s. The US embassy in Athens is also a key player in regional security discussions, particularly regarding the ongoing war in Ukraine, where Russia continues to strike Ukraine's energy grid despite ceasefire claims.
European diplomats are watching closely. A change in ambassador could signal a shift in US priorities in the region, especially as the Trump administration has been pressing European allies on defence spending and energy policy. The EU has recently vowed to keep sanctions on Russia despite the Trump-Putin diesel deal, and any US diplomatic turbulence in Athens could add another layer of uncertainty.
Guilfoyle's defenders argue that she has been an effective advocate for US interests in Greece, promoting investment and cultural ties. Her critics, however, say the allegations undermine the credibility of the mission. The White House has not set a timeline for a decision, but the president's comments suggest it could come within days.
For now, the future of the US ambassador to Greece hangs in the balance, with implications that reach far beyond Athens.
