The Kimberly Guilfoyle allegations entered a new phase this week after a Wall Street Journal report claimed the U.S. ambassador to Greece asked a donor to cover a $100,000 credit card bill and offered access to administration officials in return. Guilfoyle denies wrongdoing, and her lawyer disputes the authenticity of messages cited in the story. Two of the administration’s top figures, Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Vice President JD Vance, answered questions about it in Greece on Thursday.
Quick Summary
A news report alleges the ambassador sought payment from a donor in exchange for access. She disputes it. Rubio declined to discuss the report, while Vance said he did not like the idea but wanted more details. Democrats in Congress are seeking records, and no formal finding has been reported.
What the Kimberly Guilfoyle allegations claim
The Wall Street Journal reported that Guilfoyle asked a donor and supporter of President Donald Trump to pay a $100,000 credit card bill shortly before her confirmation hearing, according to the Associated Press account carried by PBS News. The report said she promised him access to administration officials if he did.
The donor, identified as Deters, told the Journal he had asked Guilfoyle to help connect him with the Justice Department and the IRS, PBS News reported. CNN noted that the claims originated with Deters and that the Journal was the first outlet to publish them.
These are allegations from a news report. None of the coverage reviewed for this article described a court ruling, a criminal charge or a completed government finding.
Key Facts at a Glance
| Detail | What is reported |
|---|---|
| Person involved | Kimberly Guilfoyle, U.S. ambassador to Greece |
| Original report | The Wall Street Journal |
| Alleged request | Payment of a $100,000 credit card bill by a donor |
| Alleged offer | Access to administration officials |
| Guilfoyle’s position | Denies wrongdoing; lawyer disputes message authenticity |
| Rubio’s response | Declined to comment on the report |
| Vance’s response | Said he does not “love” the idea; wants more details |
| Date of reactions | Thursday, Oct. 8, 2026, in Greece |
How Guilfoyle’s side has responded
Guilfoyle has denied any wrongdoing, and Rubio has defended her before, the AP reported. Her lawyer told the Journal that the ambassador disputes the authenticity of the messages exchanged with Deters, as CNN also noted.
The attorney also said Guilfoyle had been paid to speak at events before her nomination, according to PBS News. The sources reviewed did not publish the full messages, so readers cannot independently judge them.
Rubio’s answer in Athens
Rubio spoke to reporters before leaving Greece and refused to discuss the Journal’s reporting, The Washington Post reported. He did offer a general endorsement, saying the ambassador “has been a strong ambassador here.”
The top Democrats on the House Foreign Affairs and Senate Foreign Relations committees have called for an investigation. Rubio would not say whether he was prepared to open one, according to the same wire report. Photos from the day show him standing with Guilfoyle at the Athens airport before he boarded his plane.
Vance’s more cautious reaction
Vance used different language. He said he does not “love” the idea of a U.S. official asking someone to pay off debts in exchange for access to other officials, but he declined to say more until he knew all the details, according to the AP report published by WSLS.
He also pushed back on how the press treats single-source stories, saying a reported claim is not automatically accurate. CNN summarized his position as taking issue with anyone seeking financial gain in return for access to administration officials.
The Journal’s morning politics newsletter described the two reactions as different and framed them around 2028 political tensions. The other outlets reviewed did not report a rivalry, so this article does not treat that angle as established.
Earlier concerns about a lobbyist
This was not the first Journal story about her tenure. Earlier reporting described her ties to a lobbyist for a Greek construction and energy company, who was allowed to attend meetings with foreign officials, PBS News said.
Sen. Jeanne Shaheen, the top Democrat on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, wrote to Rubio about what she called inappropriate uses of an official position, as summarized by MS NOW. An embassy official responded that Guilfoyle follows State Department ethical guidelines and that suggestions otherwise are false.
Congress asks for records
House Democrats have since asked Guilfoyle for financial records and communications with administration officials, PBS News reported. The request, led by Rep. Robert Garcia, came a day after the Journal’s latest story.
Who Guilfoyle is
Guilfoyle is a former Fox News host and California prosecutor who was once engaged to Donald Trump Jr. President Trump announced her nomination in December 2024, CBS News reported at the time. The Senate confirmed her in September 2025.
What remains unresolved
Several questions are still open. The authenticity of the messages is disputed, no investigation has been confirmed in the coverage reviewed, and Rubio has not said whether the State Department will examine the claims. Further statements from the White House, the State Department or congressional committees could change the picture, and this article will need updating if they do.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the Kimberly Guilfoyle allegations?
The Wall Street Journal reported that she asked a Trump donor to pay a $100,000 credit card bill before her confirmation hearing and promised him access to administration officials.
How has Guilfoyle responded?
She has denied wrongdoing. Her lawyer told the Journal she disputes the authenticity of the messages and said she was paid to speak at events before her nomination.
What did Marco Rubio say?
Rubio refused to comment on the report but said the ambassador has been a strong ambassador in Greece. He did not say whether he would open an investigation.
What did JD Vance say?
Vance said he does not “love” the idea of an official asking someone to pay debts in exchange for access, but he declined to comment further until he knew all the details.
Is there a confirmed investigation?
Democrats in Congress have called for one and House Democrats have requested records. The coverage reviewed did not report a confirmed investigation or any formal finding.
