In a gathering that felt like a family reunion, Kimberly Guilfoyle, the U.S. Ambassador to Greece and almost a part of the Trump family, made a notable appearance at the White House on Thursday. The occasion was the celebration of Greek Independence Day, held in the East Room.
President Donald Trump made sure Guilfoyle was in the spotlight, offering her a warm introduction and inviting her to join him at the podium.
“Kimberly, Kimberly… that’s my little pet name for her. I hope you come back here in, what is the term for that, 12 years?” Trump quipped, eliciting laughter from the audience, which filled the room.
The 57-year-old ambassador chose an understated yet elegant look for the diplomatic event, wearing a simple black dress accentuated with a delicate silver chain belt at the waist.
She completed her ensemble with her signature accessory, a classic diamond cross necklace.
In the audience, her son, Ronan Anthony Villency, was seen showing his support for his mother before she joined the President on stage. Among the distinguished guests was Kellyanne Conway, a longtime confidante of Trump, mingling with the crowd.
The annual event, held in the historic East Room, serves as a cornerstone of the diplomatic calendar, celebrating the enduring bond between Washington and Athens.
Trump took the opportunity to pay tribute to the Greek-American community, welcoming a room packed with influential diplomats, industry titans and religious leaders.
Influential Greek-Americans seen at the event included Executive Director of The Hellenic Initiative Mike Manatos, American diplomat Patrick Theros and billionaire John Catsimatidis.
Donald Trump (L) greets US Ambassador to Greece Kimberly Guilfoyle during a Greek Independence Day celebration in the East Room of the White House in Washington, DC, USA, 26 March
It was a family reunion of sorts in the East Room on Tuesday as President Donald Trump’s almost daughter-in-law, US Ambassador to Greece Kimberly Guilfoyle, made a high-profile appearance at the White House to celebrate Greek Independence Day
President Trump is seen praying with his Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros of America and US Ambassador to Greece Kimberly Guilfoyle
Trump embraces US Ambassador to Greece Kimberly Guilfoyle at a reception celebrating Greek Independence Day
In a formal declaration honoring the day, the President drew parallels between the two nations’ histories: ‘As America marks 250 glorious years of independence, we draw inspiration from the example of the Greek people who refused to surrender their sovereignty and preserved the flame of self-government,’ Trump said.
The celebrations didn’t end at the White House gates. The political elite are expected to keep the party going tonight at Balos, the upscale Greek eatery in Washington, DC, where Guilfoyle is reportedly the guest of honor.
Back in late February, the Daily Mail reported that Guilfoyle made the trip to Washington, hoping that President Donald Trump would be her knight in shining armor as she struggles to solidify power in the European nation.
Guilfoyle, the ex-fiancée of the president’s eldest son Donald Trump Jr, has only been in the ambassadorial role since September but is reportedly in need of a ‘rescue mission’ from Trump Sr, amid a failure to win over the Athenian elite.
‘She made waves when she came in, for both bad and good reasons, and now the honeymoon effect is over. Now it’s – okay, what can you do for Greece? Show us if you are all talk or action,’ a political operative based in Greece told the Daily Mail.
As such, Guilfoyle was reportedly spotted in the Oval Office huddled with Trump, Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio last month before making this second trip.
According to two sources, the first female Ambassador to the Hellenic Republic went straight to the top, pushing Trump to commit to a high-profile visit to Greece in a bid to help her restore her image – and remind the local power players of her direct line to the White House.
Some critical media outlets and even Greek politicians have grumbled that Guilfoyle’s focus since taking up the diplomatic post has been more on high-society events and gala appearances than on granular policy negotiations.
Trump is seen here laughing with Guilfoyle, President and CEO of ‘Gristedes,’ billionaire John Catsimatidis and wife Margo Catsimatidis
According to two sources, the first female Ambassador to the Hellenic Republic has gone straight to the top, pushing Trump to commit to a high-profile visit to Greece
‘The US-Greece relationship in general has been like “The Love Boat.” [Guilfoyle] has been part of it, but she is no more than Julie, the social director,’ said a source familiar with the inner workings of the embassy, referencing the event organizer played by actress Lauren Tewes in the hit 1970s sitcom about life onboard a cruise ship.
‘She is putting on great parties, sure, but she is taking credit for things that were in the final stages before she even got nominated,’ the source added.
One example insiders point to is the recent Offshore Concession Agreements between Greece and a consortium led by US oil company Chevron, giving it exclusive rights for gas exploration off the southern Greek coast.
While Guilfoyle championed the February ceremonial signing at Maximos Mansion – home to the Greek Prime Minister – the agreement had reportedly been launched and effectively finalized long before she was even nominated as ambassador.
Some concerns have also been raised locally over whether the strength of her policy influence with Trump has fallen behind that of Tom Barrack, the ambassador of neighboring Turkey.
‘She is better than Barrack at photo-op diplomacy, but he is racking up policy wins. Over the last 10 years, Greeks thought they had an advantage when it came to the US ambassador in Athens compared to the ambassador to Turkey, and now they feel like they don’t,’ the source familiar with the inner workings of the Greek embassy said.
That said, ‘her greatest accomplishment has been getting high-level eyes on Greece,’ the source added.
Indeed, several top Trump officials who have already visited Guilfoyle including Secretaries Doug Burgum, Chris Wright, and soon, perhaps even Marco Rubio.
Guilfoyle, Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis and Gavin Lewis, vice president of new ventures at Chevron, pose after signing an agreement granting rights for exploratory drilling and potential hydrocarbon exploitation south of the Peloponnese and Crete
The post in Greece, a sun-soaked vacation destination steeped in ancient history and democracy, was seen as something of an olive branch after Guilfoyle’s engagement collapsed
She now lives in Jefferson House, the ambassador’s villa located in the exclusive Kolonaki neighborhood of Athens
Trump hugs Guilfoyle, during the Greek Independence Day celebration at the White House back in March of last year
But it is a Greek visit from Trump that Guilfoyle is still desperate to secure.
‘There is a lot of speculation about dates and, apparently, to avoid the perception that she had overstepped, she came directly to meet [Trump] in person,’ the same source said.
Her strategy appears to be working. State Department insiders tell the Daily Mail that early July is being tentatively suggested as the target for a Presidential landing.
‘The president said he is considering the visit and when would be best to make the trip,’ an insider said.
With a NATO summit scheduled for July 7-8 in neighboring Turkey, a stopover in Athens would surely be a logistical no-brainer.
