Kimberly Guilfoyle investigated by US watchdog over alleged $100,000 donor demand

The State Department’s watchdog is investigating Kimberly Guilfoyle, the US Ambassador to Greece, following allegations that she demanded $100,000 from a political donor in exchange for access to senior administration officials.

The probe by the Office of the Inspector General was confirmed by two people familiar with the decision. It centres on claims made by Eric Deters, a legal consultant and longtime donor to Donald Trump.

Mr Deters alleges that Ms Guilfoyle asked him to pay off her outstanding American Express bill in the days leading up to her 2025 Senate confirmation hearing. In return, he claims, she promised wide-ranging political influence.

"She was so desperate for that $100,000. It was a quid pro quo," Mr Deters said in an interview with NBC News. "She said I could ask her for anything and everything in Trump world. There was no request too big."

What are the allegations against Kimberly Guilfoyle?

Mr Deters provided messages, sent via text and the encrypted app Signal, which appeared to show Ms Guilfoyle instructing him to wire the cash directly to American Express. Doing so, one message suggested, meant the transaction "won't show up anywhere". Mr Deters said he refused to pay the money.

A lawyer for Ms Guilfoyle disputed the authenticity of the messages to The Wall Street Journal, which first reported on the communications, but did not provide specific details.

The investigation, which was first reported by the Daily Mail, has caused significant unease within diplomatic circles. A senior diplomatic official said the news had set off alarm bells across the State Department, describing the inspector general's move to investigate an active ambassador as highly unusual.

How have officials responded?

The State Department and the White House have declined to comment on the allegations or the existence of an investigation. A spokesperson for the inspector general's office said the watchdog does not confirm, deny, or comment on its inquiries.

Senior administration figures have urged caution. Vice President JD Vance said on Friday that the claims remained unproven. "These are accusations," Mr Vance said. "We don't try people in the court of public opinion. Let's actually see what the facts are."

Secretary of State Marco Rubio, speaking during a visit to Athens alongside Ms Guilfoyle, criticised reporters for asking about the claims on a foreign tarmac. "I don't even know if what you're reporting is true," Mr Rubio said.

Meanwhile, political pressure is building in Washington. Representative Gregory Meeks, the top Democrat on the House Foreign Affairs Committee, wrote to Mr Rubio last week demanding more details about the allegations.

How common are these investigations?

Watchdog investigations into potential ethics violations by US ambassadors are rare, but they are not without precedent.

During Donald Trump's first term, Woody Johnson, the billionaire donor appointed as ambassador to the UK, was investigated over allegations that he made inappropriate remarks about race, gender, and religion to embassy staff. The State Department ultimately rejected recommendations for disciplinary action after Mr Johnson watched a training video on workplace harassment.

Under President Joe Biden, the inspector general investigated Jonathan Kaplan, the ambassador to Singapore. That inquiry found that Mr Kaplan had threatened staff and failed to properly submit $48,000 in travel expenses. The State Department subsequently implemented organisational changes at the embassy.