Rapid developments are underway, as the White House confirmed that Donald Trump requested the resignation of the American Ambassador to Athens, Kimberly Guilfoyle.
Despite this unexpected decision that is causing a sensation, the American administration rushed to maintain a low profile, characterizing her as a «valued member» and wishing her success in her next steps.
«We have asked Ambassador Guilfoyle to submit her resignation.
She has been a valued member of our team and we wish her well», stated White House Press Secretary Katie Zacharia.
BREAKING: White House: We have asked Ambassador Kimberly Guilfoyle to resign. We wish her well. https://t.co/YtAYOS5lac
— Clash Report (@clashreport) October 13, 2026
Investigation
The Office of Inspector General (OIG) of the United States Department of State is conducting an investigation into Guilfoyle, in connection with allegations of misconduct, a source familiar with 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 does not confirm, deny, or comment on matters involving investigations», a spokesperson for the agency told CNN last week.
Discontent in the administration
Reports regarding Guilfoyle have caused discontent among high-ranking officials in the American administration, particularly because they came to light while Secretary of State Marco Rubio was visiting Athens to deliver a highly symbolic speech on Western democracy from the Acropolis.
The president did not defend Guilfoyle when CNN asked him on Friday about the allegations.
«I just heard about it. Too bad.
I mean, I do not know», said Trump.
«I just heard a couple of things about it.
I do not know much, but she was always very nice».
CNN has reached out to the White House seeking comment.
The allegations
Eric Deters, a former Trump donor, stated that Guilfoyle asked him via text message to transfer 100,000 dollars to her to pay off an American Express card, a few days before her appointment was confirmed by the Senate.
Deters ultimately did not send her the money, claiming that he lacked the necessary liquidity at that time.
The messages were first revealed by the Wall Street Journal.
False claims
Lawyers for the ambassador stated, in a statement provided to CNN, that Deters owed money to Guilfoyle for speaking engagements and consulting services she had provided to him, describing his claims as false.
«When Ms. Guilfoyle was preparing to leave the private sector to enter public service, she did what any professional would do: she sought to collect outstanding debts owed to her.
Asking a client to pay for work that has already been performed does not constitute corruption.
It is the exact opposite of corruption», her lawyers stated.
Guilfoyle denies
According to the same source familiar with the matter, Guilfoyle also denied to administration officials last week that she had sent the messages in question.
Guilfoyle continues to maintain close ties with the Trump family.
Following her split from Donald Trump Jr., she took up the diplomatic post in Greece.
Allies of the president and his son told CNN that they consider the matter embarrassing, though it remains unclear whether there will be consequences for Guilfoyle.
Defamation lawsuit
Trump has repeatedly made it clear that he is displeased when people in his inner circle gain financial benefits by leveraging their relationship with him.
On Monday, Deters told CNN that he has not been contacted by the Office of Inspector General.
He stated, however, that he contacted White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles to inform her that he intends to file a defamation lawsuit against Guilfoyle after her lawyers disputed the authenticity of the text messages she allegedly sent him.
As he said, 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 are going to have a court battle to deal with, while she is under scrutiny by relevant committees and the media».
CNN asked the White House to comment on Deters' intention to take legal action.
J.D. Vance's stance
Vice President JD Vance avoided stating on Friday whether there should be consequences for Guilfoyle, saying that he refuses to «judge people in the court of public opinion».
However, the vice president made clear that, in general, he is bothered by practices where access to government officials is offered in exchange for money.
«Of course I do not like someone selling access to another government official, and certainly not to a senior government official», he said.
«Let us see what the truth is.
And obviously, if something improper took place, then the people involved should face the consequences», added the Vice President of the United States.
What Guilfoyle's lawyers argue
A categorical response to the baseless claims and unfounded allegations of businessman and politician Eric Deters is provided by the legal representatives of the United States Ambassador to Greece, Kimberly Guilfoyle, namely Jesse Binnall and David M. Schwartz.
In an official statement, lawyers for Ms. Kimberly Guilfoyle clarify the facts regarding the uncollected debts owed by Eric Deters to her, while systematically refuting reports concerning her travel expenses and her professional activities prior to assuming her diplomatic duties.
As the legal advisors of Kimberly Guilfoyle reveal, Eric Deters owes the Ambassador approximately 150,000 dollars for speaking engagements and strategic consulting services that she provided in 2024 and early 2025, long before she officially assumed her diplomatic duties.
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 characterizing himself in text messages as a «cash strapped millionaire».
Lawyers for Ms. Kimberly Guilfoyle emphasize that seeking earned fees prior to entering public administration constitutes an entirely lawful and standard professional practice, and in no way represents a «quid pro quo» or corruption, as Eric Deters falsely claims.
Full compliance with State Department rules
In parallel, the legal team of the American Ambassador categorically refutes reports linking her name to questionable travel on private aircraft.
As noted, prior to using any private means of transportation, Kimberly Guilfoyle requested, received, and faithfully followed the guidelines and regulations of the State Department.
The American embassy has already confirmed that Ms. Kimberly Guilfoyle has fully complied with all federal ethics, transparency, and gift declaration requirements.
Notably, prior to entering diplomatic service, Kimberly Guilfoyle enjoyed a highly successful career as a prosecutor in San Francisco and Los Angeles, a legal analyst, a television personality, and a senior political communications executive.
Since November 4, 2025, when she made history as the first woman to assume the post of United States Ambassador to Greece, Ms. Kimberly Guilfoyle has set as the absolute priority of her tenure under the administration of Donald Trump:
Strengthening American energy leadership in Europe.
Deepening the strategic partnership between Greece and the United States.
Advancing the Vertical Corridor and regional energy security.
The legal representatives of Kimberly Guilfoyle conclude by stating that they are examining all available legal remedies to recover the amounts owed and protect her reputation, stressing that the Ambassador will continue to serve her office with integrity, honor, and dedication.
Full statement of the lawyers
STATEMENT OF ATTORNEYS JESSE BINNALL AND DAVID M. SCHWARTZ ON BEHALF OF AMBASSADOR KIMBERLY GUILFOYLE REGARDING FALSE ALLEGATIONS BY ERIC DETERS AND TRAVEL EXPENSES...
Eric Deters owes Ambassador Kimberly Guilfoyle approximately 150,000 dollars for speeches and consulting services provided to him long before she was nominated for the position of ambassador. Mr. Deters appeared on national television networks to present a contractual dispute as improper conduct and to attack not only Ambassador Guilfoyle, but also President Trump and other prominent members of the administration. His own words and the contract he signed prove that his statements are false.
Prior to assuming public office, Kimberly Guilfoyle was an accomplished attorney, former prosecutor in San Francisco and Los Angeles, nationally recognized television personality, and one of President Trump's most prominent political supporters in the country. She was in high demand as a keynote speaker at events and as a strategic communications and fundraising consultant, activities that she completely abandoned upon entering public service. Those who hired her paid for her time because of her personality, track record, and achievements. Eric Deters was one of them.
Mr. Deters hired Ms. Guilfoyle as a keynote speaker at «Freedom Fest» events he organized in Kentucky, in order to boost his public profile ahead of his candidacies for governor of Kentucky and for Congress. On May 20, 2024, he signed a written service contract with an independent agency that handled booking appearances and collecting fees on her behalf.
The contract provided for a flat fee of 200,000 dollars, payable by May 31, 2024. Additional speaking and consulting services were also agreed upon, including direct engagements, and Mr. Deters agreed to pay fees for the strategic communications and fundraising services provided by Ms. Guilfoyle. This agreement took place in the presence of a third party, who has confirmed it under oath.
Mr. Deters failed to fulfill these obligations. He did not meet the contractual payment deadline and subsequently, over many months, paid portions of the amounts due sporadically via wire transfers, constantly putting forward various reasons for non-payment.
In his own text messages, he casts blame on his business partner and his lawyers and describes himself as a «cash strapped millionaire».
Ms. Guilfoyle repeatedly showed understanding and gave him leeway. Ultimately, he paid a portion of what was owed and simply never settled the remainder. Approximately 150,000 dollars for speeches delivered and consulting services provided in 2024 and early 2025 remains unpaid to this day.
This is what Mr. Deters now calls a «quid pro quo», meaning a transaction for mutual benefit: a client who is late on payments is asked to settle an overdue debt. When Ms. Guilfoyle was preparing to step down from the private sector to enter public service, she did what any professional would do and attempted to collect her outstanding receivables. Asking a client to pay for work that has already been provided does not constitute corruption.
It is the exact opposite.
Mr. Deters has told reporters that he paid Ms. Guilfoyle for speaking appearances, that «I paid more than I should have, but I did not 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 that he never paid off the remaining balance and that he received nothing from her.
Equally misleading are reports regarding the ambassador's travel. Before using any private aircraft, Ambassador Guilfoyle requested, received, and followed State Department guidance, abiding by department regulations on travel. She has complied with applicable federal provisions on ethics, gift acceptance, and reporting obligations, as the embassy has already confirmed.
Since November 4, 2025, when she made history as the first woman to assume duties as United States Ambassador to the Hellenic Republic, Ambassador Kimberly Guilfoyle has placed at the core of her tenure, under President Trump, the leadership role of the United States in energy and the promotion of American energy security interests across Europe.
She supports expanding the American energy presence, strengthens the strategic partnership between the United States and Greece, and promotes American energy dominance across Europe and along the Vertical Corridor.
Ambassador Guilfoyle has served and will continue to serve with integrity, honor, and distinguished dedication.
We are examining all available legal remedies to collect this debt, as well as any other possible legal basis to pursue claims.
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