The removal of Kimberly Guilfoyle from her position as US Ambassador to Greece is being weighed by US President Donald Trump, who stated in remarks that he is unhappy with the situation surrounding the American ambassador. "We're looking at it — yes. We're not happy," Trump told reporters when asked if he is considering her ouster. According to CNN, Trump has been monitoring reports that Guilfoyle, who was engaged for four years to his eldest son, Donald Trump Jr., accepted luxury gifts during her tenure as ambassador and solicited funds in exchange for securing access to US government officials even before her appointment was confirmed.
Decision soon
CNN reported on Sunday that the president is weighing her removal, with a source familiar with the matter indicating he is expected to make his decision soon. Guilfoyle's attorneys have denied the allegations regarding demands for money and argue that reports concerning her travel are misleading. They added that she fully complied with federal regulations regarding the acceptance of gifts and related disclosure obligations.
Investigation
The Office of Inspector General (OIG) of the US Department of State is investigating Guilfoyle as part of allegations regarding misconduct, a source with knowledge of the process told CNN on Monday. The OIG press office did not respond to a request for comment. The agency typically does not comment on ongoing investigations. "As a matter of policy, the OIG neither confirms nor denies nor comments on matters relating to investigations," an agency spokesperson told CNN last week.
Dissatisfaction in the administration
Reports concerning Guilfoyle have provoked dissatisfaction among senior US administration officials, particularly because they surfaced around the time US Secretary of State Marco Rubio was visiting Athens to deliver a high-symbolism speech on Western democracy from the Acropolis. The president did not defend Guilfoyle when asked about the allegations by CNN on Friday. "I just heard about it. It's a shame. I mean, I don't know," Trump stated. "I just heard some things about it. I don't know much, but she was always very nice." CNN has reached out to the White House for comment.
The allegations
Eric Deters, a former Trump financier, stated that Guilfoyle asked him via text message to transfer $100,000 to pay off an American Express card bill just days before her Senate confirmation hearing. Deters ultimately did not send the money, claiming he lacked the necessary liquidity at the time. The messages were first revealed by the Wall Street Journal.
False claims
The ambassador's attorneys stated in a declaration provided to CNN that Deters owed money to Guilfoyle for speeches and consulting services she provided to him, characterizing his claims as false. "When Ms. Guilfoyle was preparing to leave the private sector to assume public office, she did what any professional would do: she sought to collect outstanding debts owed to her. Asking a client to pay for work already performed is not corruption. It is the exact opposite of corruption," her attorneys stated.
Guilfoyle denies
According to the same source familiar with the matter, Guilfoyle also denied last week, speaking to government officials, that she had sent the specific messages. Guilfoyle continues to maintain close ties with the Trump family. Following her separation from Donald Trump Jr., she assumed the diplomatic post in Greece. Allies of the president and his son told CNN they view the matter as embarrassing, though it remains unclear whether consequences will follow for Guilfoyle.
Defamation lawsuit
Trump has repeatedly made clear he is displeased when individuals in his inner circle extract financial benefits by leveraging their relationship with him. On Monday, Deters told CNN he has not been contacted by the Office of Inspector General. He noted, however, that he contacted White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles to inform her he intends to file a defamation lawsuit against Guilfoyle after her attorneys disputed the authenticity of the text messages she allegedly sent him. As he stated, he received no response. "This problem is not going to get better for them," Deters told CNN, referring to the Trump administration. "I am going to file a lawsuit against her and her lawyers for defamation because they claimed her text messages were fake. Then they will have to face a legal battle while she remains under the microscope of relevant committees and the media." CNN asked the White House to comment on Deters' intention to resort to legal action.
J.D. Vance stance
Vice President JD Vance avoided taking a position on Friday regarding whether there should be consequences for Guilfoyle, stating he refuses to "try people in the court of public opinion." However, the vice president made clear that, generally speaking, he is troubled by practices where access to government officials is offered in exchange for money. "Of course I don't like anybody selling access to some other government official, and certainly not a high-ranking government official," he stated. "Let's see what the truth is. And obviously, if something bad has happened, then the people involved need to suffer the consequences," the US Vice President added.
What Guilfoyle's attorneys maintain
A categorical response to the unfounded claims and baseless allegations by politician and businessman Eric Deters is provided by the legal representatives of the US Ambassador to Greece, Kimberly Guilfoyle, Jesse Binnall and David M. Schwartz. Through an official statement, the attorneys of Ms. Kimberly Guilfoyle clear the landscape surrounding Eric Deters' unpaid debts to her, while dismantling point by point the reports concerning her travel expenses and professional activities prior to assuming diplomatic duties. As Kimberly Guilfoyle's legal counsel reveal, Eric Deters owes the Ambassador approximately $150,000 for speech and strategic consulting services she provided in 2024 and early 2025, long before she officially assumed diplomatic responsibilities. Specifically, on May 20, 2024, Eric Deters signed a written agreement (General Service Agreement) for Ms. Kimberly Guilfoyle's participation in the "Freedom Fest" events in Kentucky, which were organized to bolster his own political agenda. Despite his contractual obligations and repeated extensions granted to him, Eric Deters defaulted on payments, citing financial difficulties and even describing himself in text messages as a "cash-strapped millionaire." Kimberly Guilfoyle's attorneys underscore that pursuing earned fees prior to entering public service constitutes a fully legal and standard professional practice and in no way constitutes a "quid pro quo" or corruption, as Eric Deters falsely claims.
Full compliance with State Department rules
Concurrently, the legal team of the American Ambassador categorically refutes reports implicating her name in questioned private jet travel. As pointed out, prior to using any private transportation, Kimberly Guilfoyle requested, received, and strictly followed State Department guidelines and regulations. The US Embassy has already confirmed that Ms. Kimberly Guilfoyle has fully complied with all federal ethics, transparency, and gift disclosure requirements. Notably, prior to entering the diplomatic service, Kimberly Guilfoyle forged an exceptionally successful career as a prosecutor in San Francisco and Los Angeles, a legal expert, a television personality, and a top political communications executive. Since November 4, 2025, when she made history as the first woman to assume the position of US Ambassador to Greece, Ms. Kimberly Guilfoyle has established as the absolute priority of her tenure under the Donald Trump administration: Strengthening US energy leadership in Europe. Deepening the Greece–US strategic partnership. Promoting the Vertical Corridor and regional energy security. Kimberly Guilfoyle's legal representatives conclude by stating they are reviewing all available legal remedies to collect the owed amounts and protect her reputation, stressing that the Ambassador will continue serving her office with integrity, honor, and dedication.
Full statement of the attorneys
STATEMENT OF ATTORNEYS JESSE BINNALL AND DAVID M. SCHWARTZ ON BEHALF OF AMBASSADOR KIMBERLY GUILFOYLE REGARDING FALSE ACCUSATIONS BY ERIC DETERS AND TRAVEL EXPENSES... Eric Deters owes Ambassador Kimberly Guilfoyle approximately $150,000 for speeches and consulting services she provided long before she was nominated for the ambassadorial post. Mr. Deters appeared on national television networks to portray a contractual dispute as actionable misconduct and to attack not only Ambassador Guilfoyle, but also President Trump and other prominent administration officials.
His own words and the contract he signed prove his statements are false. Prior to assuming public office, Kimberly Guilfoyle was an accomplished attorney, a former prosecutor in San Francisco and Los Angeles, a nationally recognized television personality, and one of President Trump's most prominent political surrogates in the country. She was in high demand as a keynote speaker at events and as a strategic communications and fundraising consultant, activities she completely abandoned when she assumed public office. Those who hired her paid for her time due to her personality, career trajectory, and achievements. Eric Deters was one of them. Mr. Deters hired Ms. Guilfoyle as a keynote speaker at the "Freedom Fest" events he organized in Kentucky to boost his public profile ahead of his bids for Kentucky governor and Congress. On May 20, 2024, he signed a written services agreement with an independent agency tasked with booking appearances and collecting fees on her behalf.The contract stipulated a flat fee of $200,000, payable by May 31, 2024.
Additional speeches and consulting services were also agreed upon, including directly, and Mr. Deters agreed to compensate Ms. Guilfoyle for strategic communications and fundraising services she provided. This agreement was made in the presence of a third party, who has attested to it under oath. Mr. Deters failed to fulfill these obligations. He missed the contractual payment deadline and subsequently, over many months, made sporadic partial payments via wire transfers while continually citing various reasons for non-payment. In his own text messages, he shifts blame to his business partner and attorneys and describes himself as a "cash-strapped millionaire."
Ms. Guilfoyle repeatedly showed understanding and gave him time allowances. Ultimately, he paid a portion of what was owed and simply never settled the remainder. Approximately $150,000 for speeches delivered and consulting services rendered in 2024 and early 2025 remains unpaid to this day. This is what Mr. Deters now calls a "quid pro quo": asking a client who has delayed payment to settle an overdue debt. When Ms. Guilfoyle was preparing to leave the private sector to assume public office, she did what any professional would do and attempted to collect her outstanding receivables. Asking a client to pay for work already rendered does not constitute corruption. It is the exact opposite. Mr. Deters has told reporters he paid Ms. Guilfoyle for speaking appearances, that "I paid more than I should have, but I didn't care because I was cultivating my relationship with the Trump circle," and that he offered her one million dollars to help publicize and promote his private medical malpractice lawsuit and bring it to the attention of government officials. She refused. He has admitted he never paid the owed balance and received nothing from her in return.
Equally misleading are reports concerning the ambassador's travel. Prior to utilizing any private aircraft, Ambassador Guilfoyle requested, received, and followed State Department guidelines, abiding by ministry travel regulations. She has complied with applicable federal ethics, gift acceptance, and disclosure obligations, as the embassy has already confirmed. Since November 4, 2025, when she made history as the first woman to assume duties as US Ambassador to the Hellenic Republic, Ambassador Kimberly Guilfoyle has placed at the center of her tenure under President Trump the leadership role of the US in energy and the advancement of US energy security interests across Europe. She supports the expansion of American energy presence, reinforces the US–Greece strategic partnership, and promotes American energy dominance throughout Europe and along the Vertical Corridor. Ambassador Guilfoyle has served and will continue to serve with integrity, honor, and distinguished service. We are reviewing all available legal remedies to collect this debt, as well as any other potential legal basis for claims.
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