Trump and Rubio Weigh Kimberly Guilfoyle's Firing as $100K Donor Scandal and Misconduct Claims Explode

Donald Trump and Secretary of State Marco Rubio are weighing the future of US Ambassador to Greece Kimberly Guilfoyle as a $100,000 (£75,578.65) payment request, allegations of political favour-trading, and a growing diplomatic controversy put her position under intense scrutiny.

A senior US official told The Associated Press on 11 October that Trump and Rubio were 'extremely pissed off' by the reports and were likely to decide on possible action after the Columbus Day holiday. No dismissal had been announced.

The controversy centres on allegations by Trump donor Eric Deters, who says Guilfoyle asked him to pay her American Express bill shortly before her Senate confirmation hearing in July 2025, while offering to use her connections to help him gain access to senior administration officials.

Kimberly Guilfoyle's $100K Payment Request

The Wall Street Journal reported that messages supplied by Deters showed Guilfoyle requesting $100,000 on 3 July 2025, six days before her confirmation hearing. One reported message read: 'It won't show up anywhere if you wire money to American Express'.

Deters, a former congressional candidate in Kentucky, told CBS News that the alleged arrangement was 'quid pro quo'. He said he never paid the money, claiming he could not afford to hand over such a substantial sum.

According to Deters, he had sought Guilfoyle's help with personal tax and legal matters and hoped to gain the attention of senior Trump administration figures. His account has fuelled questions about whether a private financial request was linked to access to government officials.

However, Guilfoyle's lawyer disputed the authenticity of the reported messages to the Journal. Her legal team has also maintained that money she sought related to unpaid public appearances and speaking engagements predating her ambassadorial nomination.

The disputed messages and competing accounts now sit at the heart of the Kimberly Guilfoyle $100,000 payment controversy.

Rubio's Frustration Grows as Firing Talk Intensifies

Rubio's recent visit to Athens brought the controversy into sharper focus. Guilfoyle attended most, if not all, of his events and greeted him with a bear hug as reports about her conduct circulated.

On Wednesday, Rubio described her as a strong ambassador. But when journalists questioned him about the allegations before he left Athens on Thursday, he pushed back against treating published reports as established fact.

'It's not the gospel. It's not the gospel for me. That's not the way we do things,' he said.

The senior US official told the AP that Rubio had grown increasingly frustrated as further allegations emerged. The reported deliberations over Guilfoyle's future have added to the pressure, although the administration has not publicly announced a final decision.

Alleged Greek Government Threat Raises Diplomatic Questions

The payment request is only one part of the wider controversy. The Wall Street Journal has also reported that Guilfoyle allegedly told guests at a reception that the US could undermine the Greek government if it chose to.

The newspaper further reported that she promoted the interests of Greek construction and energy company Aktor Group and allowed its lobbyist, Christos Marafatsos, into private diplomatic meetings.

In an October letter to Rubio, Representative Gregory Meeks, the top Democrat on the House Foreign Affairs Committee, raised concerns about the reported conduct and called for Guilfoyle's removal if the allegations proved accurate.

The claims have raised questions about the boundary between diplomatic responsibilities and private commercial interests, particularly when business representatives are reportedly present at official meetings.

Inspector General Investigation Adds to Pressure

The controversy has now moved beyond media reports and political criticism. NBC News reported on 9 October that the State Department's Office of the Inspector General was investigating both Guilfoyle and the US Embassy in Greece.

The investigation brings additional scrutiny to allegations involving diplomatic conduct, business relationships and the reported payment request. Its existence does not establish that the allegations have been substantiated.

Other reports have raised questions about alleged improper gifts and services, private-plane travel and Guilfoyle's relationships with embassy staff. Her lawyers have defended her travel arrangements, saying she sought and followed State Department guidance and complied with the relevant regulations.

Democratic lawmakers Gregory Meeks, Senator Jeanne Shaheen and Representative Robert Garcia have also called for an investigation.

Guilfoyle, a former Fox News host and California prosecutor, was previously engaged to Donald Trump Jr. Her political connections have drawn additional attention to the allegations, but her lawyers continue to reject claims of wrongdoing.

For now, her future as ambassador remains uncertain. Trump and Rubio are reportedly considering their options, the inspector general investigation is under way, and the disputed $100,000 request continues to raise questions about political access and diplomatic accountability.