The Republican donor at the center of the Kimberly Guilfoyle payment controversy publicly aired his grievances with the Trump family's financial dealings on Thursday, saying he is put off by their overt profiteering and what he called their “yuck-yuck world.”
Eric Deters, an attorney from Kentucky, confirmed to MS NOW's Peter Alexander that Guilfoyle had asked him to wire $100,000 to her American Express account ahead of her July 9 Senate confirmation hearing for the ambassadorship to Greece. He said he did not send the money, citing potential marital friction, and called the former Fox News host a “wicked, evil person” and a “grifter.”
While Deters said he had “no issues” with the $300,000 in speaking fees he paid to Donald Trump Jr. and Eric Trump, he expressed sharp disapproval of the brothers' cryptocurrency ventures. “The only thing that bothers me about [Donald Trump Jr.] and Eric Trump is how they, along with their father, are getting rich out in the open with crypto and everything else,” Deters said. “President Trump said he hated crypto, his sons get in crypto, now he loves crypto.”
Deters also took aim at Jared Kushner, the president's son-in-law and former senior adviser, for the $2 billion his private equity firm received from Saudi Arabia's sovereign wealth fund shortly after leaving the White House. “I'm a Midwest farm boy. I'm a good dude. I don't like their yuck-yuck world,” Deters said, adding, “You couldn't pay me to go back to Mar-a-Lago.”
The donor's comments come amid broader scrutiny of the Trump family's business interests and potential conflicts of interest, including reports of Guilfoyle's alleged request. The Wall Street Journal first reported Wednesday that Guilfoyle pleaded with Deters for the wire transfer, which he ultimately declined. The Journal also detailed the speaking fees paid to the Trump sons.
Deters, who contributed $125,000 to a pro-Trump PAC in 2022 and has run unsuccessfully for Congress and Kentucky governor, said he believes Guilfoyle has engaged in similar behavior with others. “Kimberly Guilfoyle, I have no doubt, has done this to more than me,” he said. “She's doing it right now in Greece. I know Corey Lewandowski did this stuff. I know Kristi Noem did this stuff.”
Despite his personal disdain for the president, Deters said he will continue to support Trump and MAGA candidates. “One, I like most of his policies. Two, I cannot stand his megalomania, his egomania, his, you know, Mount Rushmore talk and arch talk,” he said. He did express approval for the White House ballroom renovation project. He added, “Donald Trump loves billionaires and any MAGA politician. He doesn't care about average rank-and-file people unless they're for his votes.”
Guilfoyle, the ex-wife of California Gov. Gavin Newsom, was engaged to Donald Trump Jr. until their breakup in 2024. The White House has not responded to requests for comment on the allegations, and Secretary of State Marco Rubio has dodged questions about the ambassador's conduct.
