The White House asked Kimberly Guilfoyle today (13 October) to resign as US ambassador to Greece following a series of reports raising serious questions about her conduct before and during her tenure.
The move followed a statement by President Donald Trump on 12 October expressing dissatisfaction with Guilfoyle, confirming an Associated Press report that she could be removed from her post.
On 25 September, the Wall Street Journal (WSJ) published an investigation alleging that Guilfoyle had promoted the Aktor Group in its efforts to secure multibillion-dollar deals to supply US liquefied natural gas (LNG) to the Balkans and Central Europe.
The report also described an argument with Greek Energy Minister Stavros Papastavrou, during which the US ambassador allegedly threatened that the US could overthrow any government, including Greece’s.
A few days after the first report, Democrats called on the State Department to investigate Guilfoyle’s conduct, expressing concerns in a letter about her “improper use of official position”.
“Such actions do not strengthen US credibility abroad and risk undermining American diplomacy,” a Democratic senator said in Congress.
In Greece, opposition parties pressed the government to respond to the reported remarks or ask Guilfoyle to provide an explanation.
“If it were another country, it would have done so,” said Haris Tzimitras, foreign policy spokesperson for EL.A.S.
Government spokesperson Pavlos Marinakis told reporters a few days after the report that “there was never any question of a threat” against the Greek government and that “such a thing would never be tolerated”.
On 7 October, the WSJ published another report alleging that, shortly before her appointment as US ambassador to Greece, Guilfoyle had asked Eric Deters, a Trump donor, for $100,000 to pay off credit card debt, promising political favours in return. Deters never paid the money.
The newspaper reported that Deters had promised her up to $1 million if she could connect him with the Trump administration, and that Guilfoyle allegedly offered to use her connections as Donald Trump Jr.’s former fiancée.
On 10 October, the WSJ published a further report alleging that Guilfoyle had boasted about luxury trips funded by Greek businesspeople.
She was reportedly heard boasting to an American businessman about her connections in an effort to secure a seat at a dinner honouring Eric Trump during the World Economic Forum in Davos.
She eventually secured a seat at the last minute.
A spokesperson for the US embassy in Athens rejected the allegations against Guilfoyle.
The spokesperson told the WSJ that the ambassador’s professional career, both in and outside public service, had been guided by consistent principles and values.
Regarding the financial allegations, Guilfoyle’s lawyers said an attempt was being made to portray a financial dispute as misconduct. They maintain that Deters owes Guilfoyle $150,000.
Although US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Guilfoyle’s superior, initially appeared sceptical of the reports when asked to comment during his visit to Greece, he reportedly later changed his position.
The White House announced the decision today, with its press secretary stating: “She was an outstanding member of our team, and we wish her well.”
