Lavish Gifts and 'Influence Peddling': Trump Weighs Firing US Ambassador to Athens

A well-informed source revealed today, Monday, that US President Donald Trump is considering the possibility of dismissing Kimberly Guilfoyle from her position as United States Ambassador to Greece following a series of reports regarding "misconduct."

According to CNN news network, the US president has been monitoring reports alleging that Guilfoyle, who was engaged to Trump's son Junior for four years, accepted expensive gifts in her capacity as ambassador and sought money in exchange for providing access to administration figures before her confirmation to the post.

The reports sparked anger among senior administration officials, particularly as they emerged while Secretary of State Marco Rubio was visiting Athens to deliver a high-profile speech on Western democracy from the Acropolis.

According to the source, Trump is expected to make his decision soon regarding Guilfoyle's dismissal, while the US president offered no defense of Guilfoyle when asked about these allegations on Friday.

Trump said: "I just heard about it. Too bad. I mean, I don't know. I only heard a little bit about it. I don't know much, but she was always very nice."

Eric Deiters, a former donor to Trump's campaign, alleged that Guilfoyle asked him via text message to transfer $100,000 to pay off an American Express card days before her Senate confirmation, but he ultimately did not transfer the amount, citing insufficient liquidity at the time.

The Wall Street Journal, which first published the messages, quoted the ambassador's lawyer stating that Guilfoyle questioned the authenticity or sending of the messages.

Guilfoyle maintained a close relationship with the US president's family, and after her separation from Donald Trump Jr., she secured the prestigious job in Greece.

Allies of the president and his son expressed embarrassment over the situation, although it remains unclear whether Guilfoyle will face any consequences, while Trump had repeatedly affirmed his dissatisfaction with allies leveraging their relationship with him.

Vice President JD Vance refrained from passing judgment on Friday regarding whether there should be consequences for Guilfoyle, stating that he refuses to "try people in the court of public opinion."

However, the vice president said that generally he is uncomfortable with programs exploiting influence for money. He added: "Of course, I do not like anyone selling influence over another government official, certainly a high-ranking government official."