A Wall Street Journal report alleges that the U.S. ambassador to Greece asked a Trump donor for $100,000 to pay an American Express bill before her Senate confirmation hearing. Guilfoyle’s lawyer disputes the authenticity of the messages, while Vance says he cannot assess the specific allegations without more information.
Allegations of a $100,000 Payment Request Draw Scrutiny
U.S. Vice President JD Vance said he opposes government officials exchanging access to senior administration figures for money, responding to questions about allegations involving Kimberly Guilfoyle, the U.S. ambassador to Greece.
The allegations, first reported by The Wall Street Journal, center on Eric Deters, a donor to President Donald Trump and former congressional candidate. Deters alleges that Guilfoyle asked him to provide $100,000 to pay off an American Express credit card bill in the days before her Senate confirmation hearing in July 2025.
According to Deters, he had been seeking Guilfoyle’s help in bringing personal tax and legal matters to the attention of the incoming Trump administration. He told CNN that he believed the proposed payment was connected to the access he was seeking.
Guilfoyle’s lawyer told The Wall Street Journal that she disputes the authenticity of the messages cited in the reporting. CNN also reached out to Guilfoyle for comment.
The allegations have prompted questions about the boundaries between political fundraising, personal financial requests and access to government officials. However, the claims remain disputed, and the available reporting does not establish that Guilfoyle engaged in illegal conduct.
What Vance Said About the Allegations
Vance addressed the issue on Thursday, October 8, 2026, during a press conference focused on alleged abuses in employment-based visa programs. A reporter asked him about a hypothetical situation involving a U.S. ambassador seeking payment in exchange for access to other government officials.
“Of course, I don’t like anybody selling access to another government official, certainly a high-level government official,” Vance said.
He also cautioned against drawing conclusions about the particular case without knowing its details.
“I can’t say with confidence that the case you’re talking about is actually reflective of the way you’re describing it,” he said.
Vance did not confirm the allegations against Guilfoyle or offer a definitive judgment on her conduct. His remarks expressed opposition to the general practice described by the reporter while leaving the specific claims unresolved.
The Donor’s Account and the Disputed Messages
Deters told CNN that Guilfoyle requested the money shortly before her confirmation hearing. According to the account he provided, the request concerned an outstanding American Express bill.
The Wall Street Journal reported that messages attributed to Guilfoyle included a request for Deters to arrange the payment that day. The newspaper also reported that Deters did not send the money.
Deters characterized the exchange as an attempt to secure financial support in return for assistance in reaching administration officials. He told CNN that he believed the connection between the money and the access he sought was clear.
Those statements represent Deters’ account of the interaction. Guilfoyle’s lawyer has disputed the authenticity of the messages, a central issue in assessing the allegations. The reporting cited here does not independently establish that the alleged arrangement was completed or that any payment was made.
Marco Rubio Declines to Address the Report
Secretary of State Marco Rubio was also asked about the allegations while visiting Greece, where Guilfoyle was accompanying him during his diplomatic trip.
Rubio declined to validate the report and criticized the expectation that officials should accept allegations reported by the media as established fact.
“You guys somehow walk around thinking that because some source told you something and you reported it, it’s the gospel. It’s not the gospel. It’s not the gospel for me,” Rubio told reporters.
His response did not resolve the dispute over the messages or the circumstances surrounding the alleged request.
The exchange placed the allegations under scrutiny as administration officials were questioned about the conduct attributed to an ambassador serving in a senior diplomatic role.
Guilfoyle’s Background and Appointment
Guilfoyle was nominated by President Donald Trump to serve as U.S. ambassador to Greece in December 2024, before Trump took office for his second term. She was previously engaged to Donald Trump Jr. and has longstanding ties to the Trump family.
Before entering diplomatic service, Guilfoyle worked as a prosecutor in the San Francisco and Los Angeles district attorneys’ offices. She later became a television personality, serving as a co-host of Fox News’ The Five, and was involved in fundraising for Trump’s 2020 presidential campaign.
Her political connections and public profile have added attention to the allegations, which concern conduct reportedly occurring shortly before her confirmation hearing.
Questions Remain Unresolved
The allegations have raised questions about whether the reported financial request was connected to an effort to secure access to officials in the Trump administration. But the competing accounts remain central to the story.
Deters maintains that the request was linked to the assistance he sought. Guilfoyle’s lawyer disputes the authenticity of the messages cited in the reporting. Vance has expressed opposition to selling access while declining to assess the specific case without further information, and Rubio has declined to treat the report as established fact.
As of October 9, 2026, the reports cited here do not establish a definitive resolution of the allegations. The authenticity of the messages, the circumstances of the reported request and the nature of any proposed exchange remain key questions.
For now, the episode underscores the importance of distinguishing allegations from verified findings when questions arise about financial dealings involving public officials.
