Eric Deters, a prominent Republican donor and longtime Trump supporter, has confirmed he plans to file lawsuits against U.S. Ambassador to Greece Kimberly Guilfoyle and her attorneys, escalating a dispute that has drawn White House scrutiny.
In an interview with CNN's Anderson Cooper 360 on Monday, Deters said he intends to take legal action over what he claims are false statements made by Guilfoyle's legal representatives following a Wall Street Journal report that exposed her alleged request for a $100,000 wire transfer to cover her American Express bill. “I'm going to be suing those lawyers, that law firm, and Kimberly Guilfoyle,” Deters said. “It's going to be fun.”
The dispute centers on text messages and interactions between Deters and Guilfoyle, who is the former wife of California Governor Gavin Newsom and the ex-fiancée of Donald Trump Jr. According to the Journal's reporting, Guilfoyle offered to connect Deters with senior Trump administration officials in exchange for the payment. Deters told the Journal he had paid Guilfoyle $300,000 over several years for speaking engagements at Freedom Fest, a conservative event he founded in Kentucky in 2020 to oppose COVID-19 mandates.
Guilfoyle and her lawyers have denied the allegations, maintaining that the money she sought was for unpaid speaking and consulting fees totaling around $150,000. But Deters rejects that explanation, saying the ambassador never mentioned any outstanding debt in their private communications. “They first said that the text messages were fake — defamation,” he said. “Then they said I was a known blackmailer. I've never blackmailed anybody in my life.” He added, “Now, they're claiming that there are invoices when she knows that's not true. In all the text messages, she doesn't mention anything about me owing money. She knows that is phony, and I'm going to be suing them all for defamation.”
The controversy has reached the highest levels of the administration. In a separate report, the Journal alleged that Guilfoyle bragged about wealthy Greek businessmen funding her luxury travel, and that President Trump and Secretary of State Marco Rubio are considering removing her from her post. On Monday, Trump acknowledged the situation, telling reporters on the White House South Lawn, “Well, we're looking at it. Yeah, we're not happy.” The State Department's inspector general has also opened an investigation into whether Guilfoyle used her diplomatic position for personal gain, including accepting gifts or favors from private individuals.
Deters believes the president should act swiftly. “I think she's gone. I think he has to fire her,” he told CNN. “It's grifting on the highest level, and it's just an awful look for the administration.”
The unfolding scandal has drawn comparisons to other controversies within Trump's orbit, including his recent attacks on critics amid federal investigations. Meanwhile, the administration's handling of the matter could have broader political implications, especially as Trump has warned about GOP electoral consequences if Democrats regain power.
Guilfoyle's attorneys have not yet responded to Deters' latest comments, but the legal battle appears set to intensify, with Deters vowing to pursue defamation claims against all parties involved. The case also raises questions about the conduct of presidential appointees and the potential for conflicts of interest within the administration.
