White House Requests Resignation of Ambassador Kimberly Guilfoyle Over Alleged Financial Scandal

The White House has officially requested the resignation of Kimberly Guilfoyle from her role as the United States ambassador to Greece, following published reports regarding alleged financial requests made to a political donor. White House press secretary Katie Zacharia confirmed the administration's decision during her first press briefing on Tuesday, October 13, stating that officials had asked Ambassador Guilfoyle to step down while thanking her for her service to the administration.

The official announcement follows public comments made by Donald Trump on Monday, October 12, when he informed reporters that he was reviewing allegations concerning Guilfoyle's financial communications with a longtime supporter. According to reporting from CBS News, sources familiar with the matter indicated that Guilfoyle had initially expressed reluctance to step down prior to the public briefing, but was subsequently preparing her formal resignation. The core of the controversy centers on allegations brought forward by Kentucky businessman and former congressional candidate Eric Deters.

According to an investigation published by The Wall Street Journal on October 7, Guilfoyle allegedly contacted Deters via the Signal messaging app in July 2025, shortly before her Senate confirmation hearing. Reports state that Guilfoyle asked Deters to wire $100,000 directly to her personal American Express account, allegedly assuring him that the payment would remain private. In subsequent public statements, including an interview with TMZ, Deters alleged that Guilfoyle offered to grant him political access and advocate on his behalf within the administration in exchange for financial support.

Deters also told reporters that he had previously paid Guilfoyle roughly $300,000 in speaking fees since 2020, but alleged she failed to deliver on promised networking assistance. Deters stated he ultimately refused the $100,000 request due to personal and marital concerns. Guilfoyle has strongly denied the claims through her attorney, Jesse Binnall, who questioned the authenticity of the reported text messages. Binnall told media outlets that any requested funds represented an outstanding balance owed to Guilfoyle for travel expenses and event appearances conducted prior to her diplomatic nomination, an explanation that Deters has publicly disputed.

Amid the escalating dispute, NBC News reported that the State Department Office of Inspector General opened an inquiry concerning Guilfoyle and management matters linked to the U.S. Embassy in Greece. Trump nominated Guilfoyle for the diplomatic post in December 2024, and the Senate confirmed her appointment in September 2025. The White House request for Guilfoyle's departure marks a sudden shift less than a year after her confirmation. As internal reviews proceed, Kulture Newz has not independently verified the messaging records and will monitor further official statements from the administration.