White House press secretary Katie Zacharia announced Tuesday that U.S. ambassador to Greece Kimberly Guilfoyle, a Trump appointee, has been asked to resign after mounting criticism over alleged improper conduct. Zacharia praised Guilfoyle as “a wonderful asset to the team, and we wish her well.”
The allegations, first reported by the Wall Street Journal late last month, include an alleged threat to a host‑country official, acceptance of improper gifts and services, and an offer to use her influence in the administration to cover a large credit‑card bill. President Donald Trump said he was “not happy” and that his administration was “looking at it.”
Guilfoyle’s attorneys, David Schwartz and Jesse Binnall, denied any wrongdoing, asserting that the money she sought from a Trump donor was payment for prior public appearances and speaking engagements, and that she complied with State Department travel rules on private‑plane trips. Secretary of State Marco Rubio initially defended the ambassador, later rebuked reporters, and said he could not confirm the reports, adding, “You guys walk around thinking that because some source told you something and you reported it, it’s the gospel.”
A second unnamed U.S. official said the State Department’s inspector general is reviewing the allegations, though it was unclear whether a formal investigation has been launched.
Sources: Las Vegas Review-Journal
Original reporting: Las Vegas Review-Journal →
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