WASHINGTON — The White House announced Kimberly Guilfoyle’s exit before she did. Press secretary Katie Zacharia told reporters at her first briefing on Tuesday that “we have asked Ambassador Guilfoyle to resign,” and the ambassador to Greece confirmed on X less than two hours later.
“She has been a wonderful asset to the team, and we wish her well,” Zacharia said. President Donald Trump was blunter on the South Lawn, on his way to campaign in Alaska. “She will not be there. I didn’t like what I read,” he said, according to CBS News. NBC News quoted him as saying she was doing a good job “but we didn’t like what we were reading.”
Guilfoyle’s post thanked Trump and Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and denied the allegations. “These allegations are false, and I intend to vigorously defend my name, my reputation, and my integrity,” she wrote. Two sources told CBS that she had resisted leaving in recent days and that the briefing left her little choice. A White House official said the formal resignation arrived Tuesday afternoon, NBC reported.
The allegations centre on a $100,000 American Express bill. Businessman Eric Deters told CBS News that in July 2025, shortly before her confirmation hearing, Guilfoyle asked him to wire the money so the debt would not appear on her financial disclosures, and he called it “pay to play.” He said he had wanted help reaching administration officials, including the attorney general and the IRS commissioner. CBS reported that White House officials were told the text messages were authentic. Her lawyers have said Deters owed her the money for speaking engagements, which NBC News reported he denies. NBC said it has not independently confirmed the allegations, and no official finding has been made.
The State Department inspector general’s office has been investigating Guilfoyle, NBC said, citing two people familiar with the decision. The inquiry followed reports that she boasted about Greek tycoons who she said paid for luxury travel. Rubio initially called her a “strong ambassador,” then declined to comment on the allegations, Al Jazeera reported. Trump said Monday that he was “looking at it” and was “not happy.”
The timing was quick. Trump signalled doubt on Monday, and Zacharia announced the decision on Tuesday morning. Trump said he had not spoken with Guilfoyle, CBS reported. She had disputed the Deters account on Oct. 8.
No successor has been named, and CBS said no names were circulating at the White House. The coverage reviewed does not say whether the inspector general’s inquiry will continue now that she has left the post.
