President Donald Trump on Friday gave a terse reaction to disclosures that his ambassador to Greece, Kimberly Guilfoyle, privately asked a major donor for cash to settle personal debts before her Senate confirmation hearing.
Speaking to reporters on the White House lawn before departing for a political rally in Alabama, Trump said he had just learned of the reports. “I just heard about it, too bad,” he said. “I don’t know too much but she was always very nice.”
The president’s comments came after a reporter began to ask about the allegations, only to be cut off mid-question.
The Wall Street Journal reported Thursday that Guilfoyle solicited Trump donor Eric Deters to cover a $100,000 credit card bill, sending instructions for a wire transfer designed to avoid leaving a paper trail. According to messages reviewed by The Hill, Guilfoyle wrote on Signal on July 3, 2025: “It won’t show up anywhere if you wire money to American Express.”
Guilfoyle expressed concern that her communications with Deters could jeopardize her confirmation as ambassador to Greece. Her hearing took place July 9, 2025. In an undated message, she warned Deters that discussions about other payments would also harm her, writing: “What a nightmare you’ll literally cost me my ambassadorship stop writing.”
Secretary of State Marco Rubio, traveling in Greece, reacted testily when pressed by reporters about Guilfoyle’s conduct. He also faced questions about a separate Journal report that detailed Guilfoyle giving preferential treatment to a lobbyist for a Greek shipping firm and, in one episode, threatening to collapse the Greek government.
The revelations have drawn scrutiny from top Democrats on the House Foreign Affairs Committee, who launched an investigation after the first Journal report and have now expanded their probe following the credit card bill disclosures. Rep. Gregory Meeks (D-N.Y.), the panel’s ranking member, said in a statement to The Hill: “Reports coming out regarding Amb. Guilfoyle’s conduct are deeply concerning and suggest potentially corrupt influences on U.S. foreign policy.”
Meeks added that he has already demanded answers from Rubio and will continue to press for transparency. “If these allegations are accurate, Amb. Guilfoyle is unfit to represent the United States abroad and should be removed from her position,” he said.
The controversy has also prompted reactions from other quarters. Vice President JD Vance has said that Guilfoyle must face consequences if the allegations are proven true. Meanwhile, the White House has faced a series of personnel and political storms, including Trump’s recent decision to skip a high-profile college football game due to a hurricane and his announcement of a Russian diesel deal aimed at easing fuel prices.
As the investigation widens, Guilfoyle’s position remains under a cloud, with Democrats vowing to hold the administration accountable and Republicans largely silent on the matter.
