Kimberly Guilfoyle is stepping down as U.S. ambassador to Greece after the White House asked for her resignation, ending a turbulent diplomatic tenure marked by mounting scrutiny over alleged misconduct and financial dealings.
White House press secretary Katie Zacharia announced Tuesday that the administration had asked Guilfoyle to leave the post.
“We have asked Ambassador Guilfoyle to resign,” Zacharia said during her first White House briefing.
“She has been a wonderful asset to the team and we wish her well.”
Guilfoyle later acknowledged that her time as ambassador was ending but made clear she was not breaking with President Donald Trump.
“While my time as Ambassador may be coming to an end, my commitment to President Trump, the America First movement, and the country I love will never end,” she wrote in a statement posted online.
Her departure comes after Trump said Monday that he was considering removing her.
Guilfoyle has faced increasing scrutiny over allegations involving her finances and conduct while serving in the diplomatic post.
One report alleged that she asked Trump donor Eric Deters to cover a $100,000 personal credit card bill before her Senate confirmation hearing.
The report also claimed she offered to use her connections within the administration to help Deters with legal and tax matters.
Deters declined to pay the bill.
Guilfoyle strongly denied wrongdoing.
“These allegations are false, and I intend to vigorously defend my name, my reputation, and my integrity,” she said.
She added that she would not allow what she described as false accusations to overshadow her career.
“I have dedicated my professional life to fighting for justice, standing up for what is right, and defending the values that make America exceptional,” Guilfoyle said.
“I will not allow false accusations to define my decades of public service.”
Her lawyers have previously argued that some of the financial questions involved unpaid fees for speaking appearances and public events that took place before her nomination.
They have also denied any wrongdoing involving private plane travel and said she followed State Department guidance.
Guilfoyle opened her resignation statement by thanking Trump and Secretary of State Marco Rubio for giving her the opportunity to serve.
“Serving as the United States Ambassador to Greece has been the honor of a lifetime,” she wrote.
“I will forever be grateful to President Donald J. Trump and Secretary of State Marco Rubio for entrusting me with the extraordinary privilege of representing the greatest country in the history of the world.”
She also highlighted what she described as accomplishments during her tenure.
Guilfoyle pointed to efforts aimed at increasing U.S. liquefied natural gas exports to Europe, strengthening defense cooperation with Greece and creating more opportunities for American companies, per Trending Politics.
She also cited work involving the Vertical Corridor, an energy initiative designed to reduce Europe’s dependence on Russian supplies.
Guilfoyle credited Trump, Rubio and U.S. diplomats with those efforts.
Despite the resignation request, she emphasized that her support for Trump remains unchanged.
“My gratitude and respect for President Trump and Secretary Rubio remain unwavering,” she said.
“I am proud of what we accomplished together, and I will always be a loyal supporter of President Trump and his mission to Make America Great Again.”
The resignation marks a significant turn for Guilfoyle, who has long been closely associated with Trump and his political movement.
She now leaves the ambassador post while continuing to fight allegations that she says are false.
