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Ongoing2 earlier updates2 days

This story has run 3 times over 2 days, starting Oct 8.

  1. Kimberly Guilfoyle asked a Trump donor to wire $100,000 to her American Express bill before her ambassador confirmation hearing, messages show
  2. UpdateDonor says Ambassador Kimberly Guilfoyle's $100,000 credit-card request was 'pay to play'; House Democrats request her records by Oct. 22
  3. UpdateState Dept inspector general investigates Ambassador Kimberly Guilfoyle over alleged $100,000 request to a donor — this issue
NBC NEWSUpdate

State Dept inspector general investigates Ambassador Kimberly Guilfoyle over alleged $100,000 request to a donor

Political Guyentist · October 10, 20261 min read

NBC NEWS

The State Department's inspector general is investigating Guilfoyle and the Athens embassy. GOP donor Eric Deters says she asked him to help pay her American Express bill before her confirmation hearing. Trump said "too bad." Vance said there should be consequences if "something bad" happened, and her lawyer disputes that the messages are real.

Catch upwhat happened before · 2 earlier issues

On Oct. 7, Secretary of State Marco Rubio called Guilfoyle "a strong ambassador" in Athens. A day later, messages surfaced showing she asked Deters to put $100,000 toward her American Express bill before her hearing. By Oct. 9, Deters called it "pay to play" and said he never paid. House Democrats demanded her records by Oct. 22. CBS reported White House officials were told the texts are authentic.

The allegationThe "Honey please" Signal message is dated July 3, 2025, six days before her July 9 confirmation hearing.3 details
  • The "Honey please" Signal message is dated July 3, 2025, six days before her July 9 confirmation hearing.
  • A call log shows 8 calls between Guilfoyle and Deters from June to early July 2025.
  • Deters told PBS his motive is "revenge." He blames the administration's refusal to help extradite Dr. Durrani.

What we’re less sure of4 of 9 claims