Kimberly Guilfoyle reportedly contacted several influential figures in President Donald Trump’s circle as pressure mounted over her position as US ambassador to Greece.
According to two sources cited by the Daily Mail, the former ambassador reached out to US Ambassador to Turkey Tom Barrack, Secretary of War Pete Hegseth and Rupert Murdoch, chairman emeritus of Fox News and owner of the Wall Street Journal.
Guilfoyle reportedly asked Barrack and Hegseth for personal support and wanted them to make the case to Trump for her to remain in her position. However, two sources close to the president said Trump did not answer her calls.
The outreach came after the Daily Mail reported that the State Department had opened an investigation into allegations of a hostile workplace involving retaliation and potential ethical violations during Guilfoyle’s tenure.
Investigation Involves Workplace and Financial Allegations
The reported investigation concerns several allegations, including claims involving funding for improvements to the ambassadorial residence, private jet travel and Guilfoyle’s handling of workplace relationships.
The scrutiny also followed reporting by the Wall Street Journal about text messages in which Guilfoyle allegedly pressured a conservative activist in Kentucky to help pay a $100,000 American Express bill in July 2025, before she became ambassador.
The newspaper also reported that she had asked a donor for money to cover personal credit card debt in exchange for access to the Trump administration.
Guilfoyle has denied the allegations. After stepping down, she said the accusations were false and vowed to defend her name.
Barrack Reportedly Offers Support
Barrack, a billionaire donor to Trump who later became a diplomat and has served as the president’s Syria envoy, reportedly told Guilfoyle he would provide the support she needed, according to a source cited by the Daily Mail.
It remains unclear whether he subsequently took any action on her behalf.
Guilfoyle’s attorney described Barrack as a “friend and mentor” when asked about their relationship. The Daily Mail said it contacted Barrack for comment but received no response.
Barrack was indicted by federal prosecutors in Brooklyn in July 2021 on charges including acting as an unregistered foreign agent for the United Arab Emirates, obstruction of justice and making false statements to federal agents. A jury acquitted him of all charges in November 2022.
Murdoch Declines to Intervene Over Newspaper Reports
Guilfoyle also reportedly contacted Murdoch directly over the Wall Street Journal coverage, asking for the stories to be removed.
According to people close to her, she sought to persuade the media executive to intervene, but he did not agree to her demands.
The newspaper’s reporting included allegations about the $100,000 American Express bill and her request for financial assistance from a conservative activist.
The Wall Street Journal also reported that Guilfoyle asked State Department officials whether they could have a separate story about an unpaid dinner bill removed. When officials requested a receipt to establish that she had paid the bill herself, she reportedly failed to provide one.
Sources familiar with the matter told the Daily Mail that the dinner bill had been sent to the US Embassy. The report also referred to allegations concerning requests for champagne.
Former Ambassador Also Sought Public Messages of Support
In the days before her resignation, Guilfoyle reportedly contacted other people in her network who had substantial social media followings, asking them to publish supportive messages on platforms including X and Instagram.
Instead, several people reportedly removed photographs of themselves with her, according to sources cited by the Daily Mail.
Her departure followed a decision by the Trump administration to call for her resignation last week. Trump subsequently distanced himself from her, saying she “wasn’t part of my family” and adding, “I guess she dated my son.”
The comments referred to Guilfoyle’s six-year relationship with Donald Trump Jr. The couple were engaged for four years before calling off their engagement in late 2024, and they have reportedly remained estranged since then.
Congressional Democrats Say Inquiry Will Continue
Guilfoyle’s departure from government may not end scrutiny of her conduct.
Representative Robert Garcia, the top Democrat on the House Oversight Committee, said on Wednesday that Democrats would continue investigating her despite her return to private life.
“This is the latest in a long list of corruption surrounding the Trump Administration, and we’re demanding answers,” Garcia said.
The State Department investigation and the congressional scrutiny concern allegations that Guilfoyle has rejected.
Guilfoyle Faces Deadline to Leave Embassy Residence
Two sources familiar with the situation told the Daily Mail that Guilfoyle had been given until the end of the month to leave the US ambassador’s residence in Athens.
A source in Greece described a change in the attitude of embassy staff following her departure from the post, claiming employees were no longer following her instructions.
The source also alleged that Guilfoyle had accused former staff members of leaking information while waiting to leave the residence.
Three sources said she was considering remaining in Europe rather than returning to the United States.
The Daily Mail said it contacted Guilfoyle, the State Department, the White House, the Department of Defense and Fox Corporation for comment.
