Kimberly Guilfoyle, the U.S. ambassador to Greece and former fiancée of Donald Trump Jr., is facing allegations that she asked a wealthy Trump supporter to pay $100,000 toward her American Express bill in exchange for help reaching senior administration officials. Text messages first reported by The Wall Street Journal show Guilfoyle allegedly pressing longtime Trump donor Eric Deters for the money in July 2025, just days before her Senate confirmation hearing. The messages, which Deters provided to news organizations, have raised questions about whether a personal financial request crossed the line into an attempt to sell political access.
The allegations have also revived scrutiny of other figures in Trump's political orbit, including individuals convicted of using their connections to pursue government appointments, lobby for foreign interests or obtain influence with the administration. Guilfoyle's attorney, Jesse Binnall, disputed the authenticity of the messages and said that her client was owed money for travel and speaking engagements before her nomination. Deters disputed owing her any balance.
Newsweek has reached out to Guilfoyle's attorney, Deters, the State Department and the White House for further comment via email. According to the Journal, Guilfoyle contacted Deters on July 3, 2025, asking him to pay her American Express bill directly. Her Senate confirmation hearing to become ambassador to Greece was scheduled for July 9.
The Journal reported that Guilfoyle wrote in a Signal message: “It won't show up anywhere if you wire money to American Express.” In another message, she allegedly pressed Deters to act quickly: “I have been officially announced honey please I need you to get this done for me today.” Deters said he understood the proposed financial assistance to be connected to Guilfoyle's willingness to use her political connections on his behalf. Deters, a former Republican congressional candidate and conservative media personality, had allegedly sought Guilfoyle's assistance with tax and legal issues, including efforts to draw federal attention to a dispute involving an Ohio surgeon who fled to Pakistan. He said he had previously paid her for speaking engagements and had discussed compensation for other work.
Deters characterized the $100,000 request as an explicit exchange of money for influence. "It was a quid pro quo.” Deters did not make the $100,000 payment. He said he told Guilfoyle his wife wouldn't approve.
He later told CBS that was an "excuse." Binnall has disputed the authenticity of the messages. Embassy in Greece said in a statement to the Journal that Guilfoyle's career in and out of public service was guided by “deep and abiding values” and that she remained committed to representing the American people with dedication and integrity. Trump administration members have also commented on the allegations.
Extract — continue reading at the source.
