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US President Donald Trump is considering removing Kimberly Guilfoyle as US ambassador to Greece after a string of allegations of impropriety, US broadcaster CNN reported on Sunday, citing a person familiar with the matter.
Guilfoyle was engaged to Trump’s eldest son, Donald Trump Jr, for nearly four years, making her the president’s son’s former fiancée. Reports have emerged alleging that, while serving as ambassador, she accepted expensive gifts and sought money in exchange for connecting people with powerful figures in the US administration. Trump has been keeping an eye on those reports.
Senior administration officials are unhappy about the episode, especially as the allegations surfaced during US Secretary of State Marco Rubio’s visit to the Greek capital, Athens. During that visit, Rubio delivered a major speech on Western democracy while standing at the Acropolis in Athens.
According to the person, Trump could make a decision on whether to dismiss Guilfoyle very soon. Notably, the president has not stood firmly behind Guilfoyle in public since the allegations came to light.
When CNN asked him about the allegations on Friday, Trump replied, ‘I just heard about it. It’s too bad.’ He added, ‘I’ve heard very little about it. I don’t know any details. But she’s always been very nice to me.’
CNN has reached out to the White House for comment.
The $100,000 text message
One of the main allegations against Guilfoyle is that she asked Eric Deters, a onetime Trump supporter, for $100,000 just before the Senate confirmed her appointment as ambassador.
Deters has claimed that a few days before her Senate confirmation was finalised, Guilfoyle sent him a text message asking him to send $100,000 to pay off an outstanding American Express credit card bill. But Deters ultimately did not send the money, as he did not have enough cash on hand at the time.
The matter was first brought to light by The Wall Street Journal, whose report referred to the messages. Guilfoyle’s lawyer told the newspaper that his client disputes the authenticity of the messages.
According to the person, Guilfoyle also told administration officials last week that she had not sent the messages.
CNN’s report contains no independently verifiable information on the allegation that she sought money or on the dispute over the authenticity of the messages. It therefore remains unclear whether the allegations are true.
Close to the Trump family even after the split
Although her relationship with Donald Trump Jr ended, Guilfoyle remained close to the Trump family. She was later appointed to an important post such as US ambassador to Greece.
Several people close to Trump and his son told CNN that the whole affair has embarrassed them. However, it is still unclear what action will ultimately be taken against Guilfoyle over the allegations.
Trump has made clear on several occasions in the past that he does not like people cashing in on their personal relationship with him for financial gain. That stance could prove significant in relation to the allegations against Guilfoyle.
Vance unwilling to try anyone in the court of public opinion
US Vice President JD Vance also spoke about the matter on Friday. He did not give any direct, definitive comment on whether action should be taken against Guilfoyle. In Vance’s words, he does not want to try to put anyone on trial in the court of public opinion.
However, he made no secret of his unease about people taking money for connecting someone with government officials.
In Vance’s words, ‘Of course I wouldn’t like to see someone take money in exchange for connecting people with another government official, especially if that official is someone at a high level of government.’
He further said, ‘Let’s see what the truth is. And if something bad really did happen, then the people involved must of course face the consequences.’
Details of any investigation or further administrative action over the allegations against Guilfoyle are not yet known. Trump’s final assessment of the allegations will determine whether he dismisses Guilfoyle. Source: CNN
