It didn’t take long for newly appointed White House press secretary Katie Zacharia to get baptized by fire, as she had to deal with a brewing controversy during her first stint at the podium on Tuesday.
Zacharia relayed that President Donald Trump has asked U.S. Ambassador to Greece Kimberly Guilfoyle to resign following reports alleging improper financial dealings and questionable conduct during her diplomatic assignment.
“We have asked Ambassador Guilfoyle to resign,” Zacharia told reporters. “She has been a wonderful asset to the team, and we wish her well.”
Katie Zacharia on Kimberly Guilfoyle, who begged a donor to pay off her $100k in credit card debt in exchange for favors:
"We have asked Ambassador Guilfoyle to resign. She has been a wonderful asset to the team, and we wish her well" https://t.co/neP75HfCHw
— Headquarters (@HQNewsNow) October 13, 2026
The announcement came one day after Trump publicly acknowledged that his administration was considering removing Guilfoyle from her position. “Well, we’re looking at it,” Trump told reporters Monday when questioned about her future. “We’re not happy.”
Guilfoyle, who was previously engaged to Donald Trump Jr., has faced growing scrutiny following a series of reports alleging she sought financial assistance from a prominent Trump supporter while offering access to senior administration officials.
According to The Wall Street Journal, Guilfoyle asked Republican donor Eric Deters to transfer $100,000 directly to her American Express account shortly before her Senate confirmation hearing in July 2025. The newspaper reported that text messages showed Guilfoyle encouraging Deters to make the payment in a manner that would avoid appearing on financial disclosures.
Deters, a businessman and former congressional candidate, told CBS News that Guilfoyle requested the money while he was seeking assistance with legal and tax matters involving federal authorities. He characterized the arrangement as an attempt to exchange political access for financial assistance.
Deters reportedly declined the $100,000 request, although he acknowledged previously providing Guilfoyle with substantial payments. Guilfoyle’s attorney has challenged the authenticity of some of the communications and disputed allegations of wrongdoing.
The controversy has extended beyond the alleged financial arrangement. Additional reporting has raised questions about Guilfoyle’s relationships with wealthy business figures in Greece, including allegations involving luxury travel, hospitality and efforts to advance private commercial interests.
The Wall Street Journal reported that Guilfoyle promoted the interests of a Greek construction and energy company and allowed a lobbyist to participate in private diplomatic meetings.
Her involvement in energy-related discussions across Greece and the Balkans has also drawn scrutiny, particularly as American officials pursue expanded natural gas exports and stronger regional energy partnerships.
The U.S. Embassy in Athens has maintained that Guilfoyle complied with State Department ethics requirements and applicable gift-reporting rules. The State Department’s Office of Inspector General has begun reviewing allegations concerning her conduct, although the findings of that investigation have not been publicly released. The reports have also attracted congressional attention.
Rep. Gregory Meeks (D-NY), the ranking Democrat on the House Foreign Affairs Committee, has called for further examination of Guilfoyle’s activities and requested that she testify under oath.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio previously defended Guilfoyle’s diplomatic performance, describing her as a strong ambassador during an October 7 visit to Athens.
However, Rubio subsequently declined to address the specific allegations, saying he could not determine whether they were accurate. Trump nominated Guilfoyle in December 2024, and the Senate confirmed her appointment in September 2025.
A former California prosecutor and Fox News host, Guilfoyle became a prominent Republican fundraiser and campaign surrogate during Trump’s political career. Her relationship with Donald Trump Jr. also made her a familiar figure within the president’s political and personal circles.
Despite those longstanding connections, the administration’s decision to seek her resignation indicates that the controversy has become a significant concern for the White House. Zacharia did not announce a timetable for Guilfoyle’s departure or identify a potential replacement.
As of Tuesday’s announcement, it remained unclear whether Guilfoyle had formally submitted her resignation. The allegations remain under review, and no criminal charges have been announced in connection with the reported conduct.
