President Donald Trump and Secretary of State Marco Rubio are weighing whether to dismiss U.S. Ambassador to Greece Kimberly Guilfoyle amid mounting allegations of misconduct that now threaten to overshadow American diplomacy in Athens.
According to the Daily Mail, a senior U.S. official said Trump and Rubio are extremely pissed off over the reports and are expected to decide Guilfoyles fate shortly after the Columbus Day holiday. The official, speaking on condition of anonymity, added that Rubio was especially incensed, having just visited Athens, where Guilfoyle attended nearly all of his events and greeted him with a bear hug while the accusations were already circulating.
The Wall Street Journal has chronicled a series of claims against Guilfoyle, including an alleged threat to a host-country official, acceptance of improper gifts and services, and an offer to leverage her influence inside the administration in exchange for payment of a large credit card bill. Guilfoyle has not personally addressed the reports, though her attorney insists she did nothing wrong and the U.S. Embassy in Athens has offered quiet, if limited, support.
Rubio initially defended her, saying on Wednesday: Our ambassador has been a strong ambassador here. But after another damaging report appeared, he lashed out at reporters before departing Athens, declaring, You guys walk around thinking that because some source told you something and you reported it, it's the gospel. It's not the gospel. It's not the gospel for me. That's not the way we do things.
A second U.S. official said the State Departments inspector general is reviewing the allegations, though it is unclear whether a formal probe has begun. The State Department has declined comment, even as inspectors general often start with informal inquiries that may or may not lead to full investigations and potential dismissal.
Democrats in Congress have seized on the controversy, with Rep. Gregory Meeks, Sen. Jeanne Shaheen and Rep. Robert Garcia demanding a formal investigation into Guilfoyle. Since late September, the Journal has reported that she boasted the U.S. could undermine the Greek government, promoted a favored Greek construction and energy firm, allowed its lobbyist into private diplomatic meetings, and asked a Trump donor to cover a $100,000 credit card bill in return for access to administration officials.
Further reports say Guilfoyle raged over being excluded from a Greek-themed event at Davos and bragged about luxury travel with energy executives, while embassy staff have accused her of tyrannical leadership and a Champagne-fueled lifestyle. Vice President Vance has tried to keep his distance, calling the questions hypothetical and conceding only that he doesn't love what is being reported about her spending, adding, Well, so... with that hypothetical, obviously I don't love that, but I, you know, I don't know exactly who you're talking about. I don't know the full details.
Guilfoyles tenure in Athens followed her high-profile split from Donald Trump Jr., after which Trump tapped the former Fox News personality as ambassador in December. Since then, she has embraced the post with celebrity flair, mixing meetings with presidents and ministers with fashion shows, art galas and curated social media, even as conservatives now press for higher ethical standards from those representing the United States abroad and await Trumps decision on whether she should remain in the role.
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