Kimberly Guilfoyle, the US ambassador to Greece, is facing a growing scandal over her handling of conflicts of interest and freebies.
According to reports, Guilfoyle has refused to cut loose an energy lobbyist who sits in on her meetings, despite concerns over potential conflicts of interest.
The Lobbyist in the Room
Marafatsos, a registered lobbyist for Aktor Group, a major Greek infrastructure and construction conglomerate, has been a regular presence in Guilfoyle's meetings.
Guilfoyle has 'worked with companies across the energy sector' and has not focused on just one, her lawyer Jesse Binnall told the Journal.
Aktor paid Marafatsos $160,000 through June to build ties with the White House and the State and Energy departments, and Guilfoyle urged Balkan officials to do business with the company.
Lawyers for Aktor told the Journal that the company's involvement began before it had any contact with the ambassador.
It's worth noting that Marafatsos has worked closely with Guilfoyle in a non-governmental capacity, bridging the gap between Athens and the Greek-American diaspora. He also chairs Greeks for Trump, founded in 2016.
Guilfoyle's decision to keep Marafatsos on her team has raised questions about her ability to separate her personal and professional relationships.
Guilfoyle's lawyer, Jesse Binnall, has stated that Guilfoyle has 'worked with companies across the energy sector' and has not focused on just one. However, the Journal's report suggests that Guilfoyle's relationship with Marafatsos and Aktor Group may be more extensive than initially thought.
The Journal's report also raises questions about the influence of special interests on Guilfoyle's decision-making as ambassador.
By the numbers
- The 57-year-old former Fox News host, once engaged to Donald Trump Jr, has brushed off concerns over conflicts of interest
- Her team has pressed a Greek hospitality fixer for freebies including two cases of Champagne and a nearly €1,600 ($1,800) dinner
- Aktor paid Marafatsos $160,000 through June to build ties with the White House and the State and Energy departments, and Guilfoyle urged Balkan officials to do business with the company
The Freebies
Guilfoyle's team has pressed a Greek hospitality fixer for freebies, including two cases of Champagne and a nearly €1,600 dinner.
An embassy official said Guilfoyle paid for the meal, but the incident has raised questions about the ambassador's judgment.
Guilfoyle was pictured in July sipping fizz and picking at grapes at Nammos, the jet-set hangout on Mykonos's Psarou Beach, alongside Bill White, Trump's openly gay ambassador to Belgium.
She flew to Paris for Fashion Week the next day.
These incidents have raised questions about Guilfoyle's priorities as ambassador and her ability to maintain the dignity of the position.
The Fallout
The scandal has irritated Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who flies into Athens within days for talks with the Greek government.
'Rubio is annoyed but quite frankly has too much on his plate to worry about the side quests of Kimberly Guilfoyle,' a State Department source said.
Top Democrats on the Senate and House foreign affairs committees have urged Rubio to investigate Guilfoyle's conduct, citing the Journal's report.
'If these reports are accurate, Ambassador Guilfoyle is unfit to represent the United States abroad and should be removed from her position,' Representative Gregory Meeks of New York, the top House Foreign Affairs Democrat, wrote to Rubio.
The investigation into Guilfoyle's conduct is likely to be closely watched by experts and policymakers.
Kai Solis’ View
As a reporter who's covered Donald Trump's inner circle, I'm not surprised by Kimberly Guilfoyle's antics. She's always been a bit of a wild card, and it seems her ambassadorship to Greece is no exception. Guilfoyle's refusal to distance herself from an energy lobbyist, despite concerns over conflicts of interest, raises serious questions about her judgment and loyalty to the US. And let's be real, her team's attempts to score freebies from Greek hospitality fixers are just the tip of the iceberg. It's a pattern of behavior that's both cringeworthy and concerning.
Opinion — Kai Solis. Reporting above is separate from this view.
Room for disagreement
The Daily Mail frames the story as Guilfoyle's refusal to cut ties with an energy lobbyist and her team's demand for freebies, emphasizing Guilfoyle's stubbornness and the potential for conflicts of interest. Read Dailymail’s take →
Background
Kimberly Guilfoyle is the US Ambassador to Greece, a position she has held since December 2024, when she was appointed by President Donald Trump. Guilfoyle, a 57-year-old former Fox News host, was previously engaged to Donald Trump Jr. and has been at the center of controversy over her handling of her ambassadorship. The Senate confirmed Guilfoyle as ambassador in September 2024. The position of US Ambassador to Greece is a key diplomatic role, responsible for promoting American interests and relations with Greece. Guilfoyle's appointment has been criticized for potential conflicts of interest, given her past relationships with the Trump family and her own business interests. The controversy surrounding Guilfoyle's ambassadorship has also raised questions about the role of her team and their interactions with Greek media and officials.
- Guilfoyle was appointed US Ambassador to Greece by President Donald Trump in December 2024. (Dailymail)
- The Senate confirmed Guilfoyle as ambassador in September 2024. (Dailymail)
- Guilfoyle has been at the center of controversy over her handling of her ambassadorship. (Dailymail)
Timeline
- President Donald Trump picked Guilfoyle as ambassador to Greece in December 2024, days after Don Jr was pictured out with Palm Beach socialite, and his now wife, Bettina Anderson
- The Guilfoyle scandal deepened on Thursday as top Democrats on the Senate and House foreign affairs committees urged Rubio to investigate her conduct, citing the Journal's report
- He also chairs Greeks for Trump, founded in 2016
What's next
The investigation into Guilfoyle's conduct is likely to be closely watched by experts and policymakers.
Questions readers ask
What has Kimberly Guilfoyle refused to cut loose from her meetings as US ambassador to Greece?
An energy lobbyist who sits in on her meetings.
Has Kimberly Guilfoyle's team sought freebies from Greek hospitality fixers?
Yes, including two cases of Champagne and a nearly €1,600 ($1,800) dinner.
Has Secretary of State Marco Rubio expressed concern over Kimberly Guilfoyle's actions?
Yes, but he has too much on his plate to worry about it.
Sources
- Dailymail: Panic over Kimberly Guilfoyle's outrageous Champagne demand and the Athens dealmaker by her side... but she digs in heel
- Daily Mail: EXCLUSIVE Panic over Kimberly Guilfoyle's outrageous Champagne demand and the secret interests of her righthand man... b
