US President Donald Trump and Secretary of State Marco Rubio are considering removing US Ambassador to Greece Kimberly Guilfoyle from her post as a growing number of reports raise questions about her conduct before and during her diplomatic tenure.
A senior US official said on Sunday (Oct 11) that Trump and Rubio were deeply angered by the allegations and could decide on Guilfoyle’s future this week, following the Columbus Day holiday on Monday.
The official, who spoke on condition of anonymity because the discussions involved internal personnel matters, said Rubio had become increasingly frustrated as more allegations emerged.
The controversy intensified during Rubio’s recent visit to Athens, where Guilfoyle attended many of his engagements and greeted him upon his arrival, even as reports about her conduct continued to surface.
Allegations raise questions about diplomatic conduct
Reports by The Wall Street Journal have outlined several allegations involving Guilfoyle, including claims that she threatened a Greek official, promoted the interests of a Greek construction and energy company, and allowed a lobbyist to attend private diplomatic meetings.
Another report alleged that Guilfoyle asked Trump supporter and donor Eric Deters to pay a US$100,000 credit card bill shortly before her Senate confirmation hearing, reportedly offering access to officials in the Trump administration in return.
Deters has said he did not make the payment. Guilfoyle’s lawyers have disputed the allegations, including the authenticity of reported text messages, and maintained that the money she sought was owed for earlier travel and speaking engagements.
The allegations have prompted calls for further scrutiny from senior Democrats in Congress, including Representative Gregory Meeks and Senator Jeanne Shaheen, who have urged the State Department to examine Guilfoyle’s conduct.
Other reports have raised questions about her travel on private aircraft, interactions with embassy staff and efforts to attend a Greek-themed event at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland.
Guilfoyle has not publicly addressed every allegation individually. Her lawyers have denied wrongdoing and said she followed State Department guidance and travel regulations.
Rubio’s position comes under scrutiny
Rubio initially defended Guilfoyle after the first reports emerged, describing her as a strong ambassador during his visit to Greece earlier this month.
However, he declined to comment on the latest claims when questioned by reporters before leaving Athens on Thursday.
Rubio said he did not know whether the allegations were true and criticised reporters for treating information from unnamed sources as established fact.
A second US official said the State Department’s inspector general was looking into the allegations. It remained unclear whether a formal investigation had been opened, and the department declined to comment on a possible inquiry.
An inspector general’s preliminary examination does not necessarily lead to a full investigation or disciplinary action, although such action can include dismissal.
Guilfoyle’s political connections draw attention
Guilfoyle, a former Fox News host and California prosecutor, was previously engaged to Donald Trump Jr., the president’s eldest son. Trump nominated her to serve as US ambassador to Greece after taking office.
The controversy comes at a sensitive time for US-Greece relations. During Rubio’s visit to Athens, the two countries announced plans to strengthen security cooperation, including the sharing of counterterrorism information.
Whether the allegations will lead to Guilfoyle’s removal remains uncertain. The reported deliberations, however, have placed the ambassador’s future and the administration’s handling of the claims under growing scrutiny.
