Trump offers first remarks on Guilfoyle controversy

President Trump on Friday reacted to revelations that his ambassador to Greece, Kimberly Guilfoyle, privately solicited cash to pay down her debts ahead of her confirmation hearing, calling the situation “too bad.”

The president spoke to reporters outside the White House before departing for a political rally in Alabama.

“I just heard about it, too bad,” Trump said.

“I don’t know too much, but she was always very nice.”

Trump was responding to a reporter beginning to ask a question, saying, “Have you heard of these reports about your ambassador to Greece,” before being cut off by the president.

The Wall Street Journal reported Thursday that Guilfoyle had solicited Trump donor Eric Deters to pay her $100,000 credit card bill, sending instructions for a wire transfer that would not leave a paper trail.

“It won’t show up anywhere if you wire money to American Express,” she wrote on Signal on July 3, 2025, according to messages reviewed by The Hill.

Guilfoyle raised concern that her conversations with Deters would harm her chances at confirmation as ambassador to Greece. Her confirmation hearing took place July 9, 2025.

In an undated message, Guilfoyle raises concern that discussions with Deters about other payments also would harm her.

“What a nightmare you’ll literally cost me my ambassadorship stop writing,” Guilfoyle’s text read.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio bristled at reporters’ questions about Guilfoyle’s conduct while he was on diplomatic travel to Greece.

The secretary also faced questions about a different Journal report detailing Guilfoyle giving preferential treatment to a lobbyist working for a Greek shipping firm. The Journal report also detailed an episode of Guilfoyle threatening to collapse the Greek government.

Guilfoyle’s conduct has come under scrutiny from the top Democrats on the foreign affairs panel, who launched investigations after the first Journal report and have expanded their probe following the revelations over the credit card bill.

“Reports coming out regarding Amb. Guilfoyle’s conduct are deeply concerning and suggest potentially corrupt influences on U.S. foreign policy,” Rep. Gregory Meeks (D-N.Y.) said in a statement to The Hill.

“I have already demanded answers from Secretary Rubio regarding her conduct and will continue to press for transparency and accountability. As I have said before, if these allegations are accurate, Amb. Guilfoyle is unfit to represent the United States abroad and should be removed from her position.”