US President Donald Trump is considering firing US Ambassador to Greece Kimberly Guilfoyle, following reports of allegations that she accepted lavish gifts and demanded money in exchange for mediation to gain access to US administration officials.
According to CNN and a source familiar with the matter, Trump is closely monitoring the developments and is expected to decide soon whether Guilfoyle will continue in her diplomatic post. The reports have caused concern among some US administration officials, especially after they emerged during Secretary of State Marco Rubio's visit to Athens, where he gave a speech on Western democracy at the Acropolis.
Asked by CNN about the allegations, Trump did not express clear support for the ambassador. "I just heard about it. It's unfortunate. I don't know," the president said, adding that he had heard a little about the case but that Guilfoyle had always been kind.
At the center of the reports are allegations by Eric Deters, a former Trump donor, who says Guilfoyle texted him $100,000 to pay off an American Express credit card. He says the request was made just days before she was confirmed by the Senate as ambassador. Deters claims he did not transfer the money because he did not have the funds available at the time.
The Wall Street Journal, which first reported the messages, quoted Guilfoyle's lawyer as saying she disputes their authenticity. According to a source familiar with the matter, the ambassador has denied to US administration officials that she sent the messages in question. So far, the claims have not been proven and the authenticity of the communications remains disputed.
Kimberly Guilfoyle has an early connection to the Trump family. She was engaged for four years to Donald Trump Jr., the president's eldest son, and after the relationship ended, she was appointed to represent the United States diplomatically in Greece.
The developments have also raised concerns among some allies of the president and his son, who have described them as embarrassing for the family and the administration. However, it is not yet clear whether the issue will bring concrete consequences for the ambassador.
US Vice President JD Vance also commented on the allegations, stressing that he does not want people to be judged solely by public opinion and that the facts must be clarified before conclusions are drawn. At the same time, he opposed in principle any scheme where someone demands payments in exchange for access to government officials.
"I certainly don't like it when someone sells access to another government official, especially a high-level official," Vance said, adding that if it is proven that something illegal or wrong has been done, those responsible should face the consequences.
Trump has previously stated that he opposes cases where people close to him benefit financially from this relationship. Now, attention is focused on the decision the president will make about Guilfoyle's future, while the allegations and the authenticity of the messages remain to be clarified.
