Kimberly Guilfoyle, the U.S. Ambassador to Greece, former prospective daughter-in-law of U.S. President Donald Trump, and former wife of prominent Democratic presidential hopeful and California Governor Gavin Newsom, has effectively been forced out amid misconduct allegations. Following a series of reports alleging she leveraged her ties with the presidential family for personal gain, the White House demanded her resignation, while President Trump distanced himself by stating, "She was not my family."

A Former Wife of Newsom and 'Former Prospective Daughter-in-Law' — Trump Declares, "She Was Not My Family"

According to Reuters and other foreign media outlets on the 13th (local time), the White House demanded Guilfoyle’s resignation that day, and Guilfoyle accepted, posting a statement on social media. President Trump told reporters, "She was doing a good job in Greece, but we didn't like the reports that we were reading." When asked whether she was once on the verge of becoming a family member, he replied, "She was not my family," adding, "I think she used to date my son in the past." Asked if he had spoken directly with Guilfoyle, he answered, "No, I haven't."

Born in 1969, Guilfoyle is a former prosecutor who married Governor Newsom in 2001. The couple drew widespread attention, being dubbed the "New Kennedys," but separated in 2004 before divorcing in 2006. Afterward, Guilfoyle pursued a full-fledged career as a television broadcaster, notably working on Fox News.

Her relationship with Donald Trump Jr., the U.S. president's eldest son, began in 2018 and led to an engagement. Even after parting ways with Trump Jr. in 2024, she remained within the Trump camp and was appointed U.S. Ambassador to Greece last November.

Pushing Corporate Deals Followed by Demands to "Pay Off My Credit Card Debt"

The controversy erupted in earnest on February 25 when the Wall Street Journal (WSJ) reported on the relationship between Ambassador Guilfoyle and a Greek corporate lobbyist. The report stated that Guilfoyle had urged governments in the Balkan region to secure energy deals with the Greek construction firm Aktor Group and accompanied the company’s lobbyist to official diplomatic meetings. The WSJ pointed out, "Some foreign officials went so far as to mistake the lobbyist, who frequently appeared at meetings, for the ambassador's chief of staff."

The allegations subsequently escalated into a demand to pay off personal credit card debt. The WSJ revealed text messages showing that ahead of her Senate confirmation hearing last year, Guilfoyle demanded 100,000 dollars (approx. 134 million won) from Trump donor Eric Deters.

Reports indicated that Guilfoyle pressed him, saying, "If you wire it directly to American Express, it won't show up anywhere." To assist Deters, who was struggling with tax issues, she reportedly messaged the head of the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and conveyed details of her contacts with the Department of Justice to Deters. However, Deters turned down the request, stating, "If I pay that money, my wife will divorce me."

Conversely, Guilfoyle's camp countered that the nature of the funds was entirely different. They argued she was merely demanding remuneration owed for event appearances and speeches prior to her ambassadorial nomination, rather than payment in exchange for connecting him with government officials. Her attorneys stated that Deters owed approximately 150,000 dollars (approx. 201 million won) in unpaid speaking and advisory fees.

Outburst Over Missed Dinner Invitation and Alleged Promises to "Help Make a Lot of Money"

On the 10th, a recorded conversation from January this year in Davos, Switzerland, was released in which Ambassador Guilfoyle boasted about being entertained by Greek tycoons. The recording contained remarks where Guilfoyle flaunted her close ties with two tycoons, claiming they were covering her travel expenses.

At the time, Guilfoyle had not been invited to a dinner hosted for Trump’s second son, Eric. The recording also captured Guilfoyle unleashing a torrent of profanity toward the organizers and demanding an American businessman scheduled to attend to help her secure entry. According to the WSJ, the process even featured promises such as "I will help you make a tremendous amount of money." Guilfoyle maintained that she sought State Department guidance prior to utilizing a private jet and complied with relevant regulations, asserting there was no improper behavior.

Trump Says: "I Didn't Like It"

Following the successive reports, President Trump began publicly addressing Ambassador Guilfoyle's future. When asked on the 12th whether he was considering dismissing her, he replied, "We're looking at it. I didn't like it."

In addition to her resignation, a review of the allegations is underway, with the State Department Office of Inspector General stepping in. Approximately two hours after the White House demanded her resignation, Guilfoyle posted a statement on X (formerly Twitter) emphasizing, "These allegations are false, and I will vigorously defend my name, reputation, and integrity." She added, "While my tenure as ambassador is coming to an end, my dedication to President Trump, the America First movement, and our country will never end."

[ⓒ Global Economic Times. 무단전재-재배포 금지]