Trump, Vance defend Guilfoyle amid $100k payment allegations

The Wall Street Journal reported that Kimberly Guilfoyle, while awaiting Senate confirmation as ambassador to Greece, asked Trump donor Eric Deters to pay a $100,000 American Express balance via Signal messages that would leave no paper trail. Deters declined, saying the request would have cost him his marriage.

President Donald Trump, asked about the allegations on October 9, said he had just learned of them and called Guilfoyle "always very nice." Vice President J.D. Vance urged caution, stating that accusations are not proof and that guilt should be decided in courts, not the court of public opinion.

“These are accusations... let's see what the facts are, let's see what the proof is.”

NBC News reported that the State Department Inspector General has opened an inquiry into both Guilfoyle and the Athens embassy over the matter. Democratic lawmakers on Senate and House foreign affairs committees have also requested a formal investigation.

Guilfoyle has not publicly addressed the specific allegations. The Journal's reporting is based on hundreds of messages, emails, and letters exchanged between Guilfoyle and Deters, who sought her help with personal tax and legal issues before the Trump administration.