California Gov. Gavin Newsom described his former wife Kimberly Guilfoyle’s abrupt departure as U.S. ambassador to Greece as “unfortunate” during brief comments while campaigning for Democrats on Monday.
Newsom, who was married to Guilfoyle from 2001 until 2005, was asked to respond to the controversy surrounding the former ambassador.
“Recently, your ex-wife, Kimberly Guilfoyle, was involved in a scandal and pushed out of her ambassadorship,” a CBS News reporter said. “Could you please share your reaction to that news?”
“I don’t know enough about it,” Newsom told CBS News. “I haven’t talked to her in a while, and I just wish her the best.”
He went on to call the circumstances “unfortunate.”
The Democratic governor spoke one week after Guilfoyle, 57, resigned following exclusive reporting by Our News Outlet that she was the subject of an Inspector General investigation into allegations involving her lifestyle in Athens and spending at the U.S. Embassy.
A source close to Guilfoyle told Our News Outlet that she reacted poorly to the news, reportedly making excuses and describing the situation as unfair.
In a statement shared on X, Guilfoyle denied the allegations and vowed to vigorously defend her name and reputation as her tenure as U.S. ambassador to Greece came to a close.
California Gov. Gavin Newsom addressed his ex-wife Kimberly Guilfoyle’s removal as ambassador to Greece while campaigning for Democrats in New Hampshire on Monday
Newsom and Guilfoyle were married from 2001 through 2005
“I will not allow false accusations to define my decades of public service,” Guilfoyle wrote. “While my time as Ambassador may be coming to an end, my commitment to President Trump, the America First movement, and the country I love will never end.”
She thanked President Donald Trump and Secretary of State Marco Rubio, highlighted her record in Athens and pledged to remain a “loyal supporter” of Trump and his MAGA agenda.
However, Our News Outlet previously reported that the State Department had formally opened a probe into complaints alleging “tyrannical” leadership and lavish corporate perks at the U.S. Embassy in Athens.
Three sources said the Inspector General was examining allegations that included possible substance abuse, the use of private aircraft and helicopters, a close relationship with an energy and construction company, improper acceptance of gifts and other concerns.
Guilfoyle also faced allegations that she sought a $100,000 payment from a donor to cover personal credit-card debt in exchange for political access, along with other accusations of unethical conduct.
Eric Deters, a Trump-world insider who Guilfoyle reportedly approached for a six-figure payment, told Our News Outlet that she had asked his wife and one of her friends to secretly bring alcohol to her during a political festival. Deters characterized the alleged behavior as being “like a high schooler” hiding alcohol from her parents.
Deters also claimed that, after the festival, Guilfoyle wanted to take home the remaining catered food prepared for VIP guests.
He further alleged that she asked him to praise her in front of Donald Trump Jr., her former fiancé, in hopes of “winning back his favor.”
Guilfoyle’s fondness for Champagne and social events has been widely reported. After Trump selected her as ambassador to Greece, insiders reportedly urged her to exercise restraint, warning that a posting among the Aegean islands and long summer days should not be viewed as an invitation to party without limits.
Guilfoyle, 57, resigned after exclusive Our News Outlet reporting said she was under investigation by the Inspector General over allegations involving her party lifestyle and spending in Athens
Guilfoyle thanked President Donald Trump and Secretary of State Marco Rubio in a statement following her ouster, while pledging to remain a ‘loyal supporter’ of the president and his MAGA mission
Her lawyers since have hit back at the allegations, insisting the dispute with Deters concerns unpaid work rather than an attempt to sell access to the administration.
In a statement, they said he owed her approximately $150,000 for speaking engagements and consulting work performed in 2024 and early 2025.
But following the allegations, both Democrats and Republicans spoke out about the accusations against Guilfoyle, with Senate Majority Whip John Barrasso saying the reports were ‘very troubling’ and ‘concerning.’
He added that he expected the State Department to conduct an investigation into the ambassador, before noting that ‘the Senate Foreign Relations Committee will have oversight and look into that as well.’
Democrats on the Senate and House foreign affairs committees also urged Secretary of State Marco Rubio to investigate the claims.
‘If these reports are accurate, Ambassador Guilfoyle is unfit to represent the United States abroad and should be removed from her position,’ wrote Representative Gregory Meeks of New York, the top House Foreign Affairs Democrat.
Guilfoyle had previously dated Donald Trump Jr, and he proposed to her on New Year’s Eve 2020. The two are pictured here in 2023
The president also made clear the former fiancée to his son was never a member of his family.
‘She, I guess, dated my son a long time ago,’ Trump said dismissively.
Guilfoyle began dating Donald Trump Jr in 2018, months after his split from his wife Vanessa, and the pair soon became one of the most recognizable double acts in MAGA world.
Don Jr proposed on New Year’s Eve 2020, but the wedding never happened. After six years together, the relationship quietly unraveled, and by late 2024 he had moved on with Palm Beach socialite Bettina Anderson.
