White House forces out Guilfoyle – US ambassador to Greece resigns
Following reports of alleged misconduct, Kimberly Guilfoyle is leaving her post as US ambassador to Greece. She rejects all allegations and says she will defend her reputation.
Archive image · Photo: U. S. Embassy & Consulate in Greece / Wikimedia Commons, Public domain (cropped and resized)
The White House has asked Kimberly Guilfoyle, the US ambassador to Greece, to step down. "We have asked Ambassador Guilfoyle to resign," press secretary Katie Zacharia said on Tuesday, adding that she had been "a wonderful asset to the team" and "we wish her well." According to The Associated Press, Guilfoyle then resigned.
The move follows reports, mainly by The Wall Street Journal since late September. They allege, among other things, that Guilfoyle promoted the business interests of a Greek construction and energy company and, before her Senate confirmation hearing, asked a Trump donor to pay a $100,000 credit card bill. Her lawyers deny any wrongdoing, saying the money was payment for appearances. Trump had earlier said: "We're not happy."
Guilfoyle wrote on X: "These allegations are false." She said she would "vigorously defend" her name, reputation and integrity. Democratic lawmakers had called for an investigation, and a US official said the State Department's inspector general is looking into the allegations. In Athens, opposition parties had demanded that the ambassador be summoned.