Kimberly Guilfoyle Nominated as US Ambassador to Greece by President-elect Trump

Appointments made by US President-elect Donald Trump for his upcoming second term have consistently exhibited several common characteristics. These include individuals who are long-standing supporters, former Fox News personalities, or those linked to his broader family network. Kimberly Guilfoyle, aged 55, embodies all three of these traits. The former Fox host received a nomination on Tuesday to serve as the US ambassador to Greece. She is recognized as a strong advocate for Trump, having contributed to his presidential campaigns. Furthermore, the former lawyer is engaged to Donald Trump Jr; however, recent tabloid reports showing the president’s eldest son with another woman have introduced uncertainty regarding their current relationship status. Ms. Guilfoyle was previously married to Gavin Newsom, who is the governor of California and a member of the opposing Democratic Party. In his announcement of her appointment, Trump Sr referred to Ms. Guilfoyle as a “close friend and ally.” Trump stated, “Her extensive experience and leadership in law, media, and politics along with her sharp intellect make her supremely qualified to represent the United States, and safeguard its interests abroad.” He added, “Kimberly is perfectly suited to foster strong bilateral relations with Greece, advancing our interests on issues ranging from defence cooperation to trade and economic innovation.” Ms. Guilfoyle, in a social media post, expressed gratitude to Trump for the appointment, stating her anticipation “to delivering on the Trump agenda, supporting our Greek allies, and ushering in a new era of peace and prosperity.” Greek officials have responded to her nomination by highlighting past remarks she made criticizing the Greek populace. During a 2015 Fox News broadcast, she criticized Greeks for opposing a third bailout agreement from the nation’s creditors amidst the financial crisis that occurred between 2009 and 2018. She characterized the Greeks as “freeloaders” who required discipline akin to an untrained animal. She remarked, “Get up in the morning. Go to work. You guys are retiring too early and that’s part of the problem.” She continued, “You have, like, politicians making out-of-control promises, buying votes with entitlements that they can’t support.” She further stated, “I mean, nobody likes freeloaders,” and concluded, “It doesn’t matter if you made great yogurt. I don’t care.” Guilfoyle concluded her remarks by asserting that “nobody is punishing them” in the same way a “dog pees on the rug.” On Thursday, Pavlos Marinakis, a spokesman for the Greek government, referred to her statements from almost a decade prior, indicating that she “will come to Greece of 2025 and not to Greece of 2015.” Marinakis elaborated, “Greece in 2025 is a country that is developing, growing, and rising, at all levels. It is a country that has been a protagonist in very challenging years and is now a positive example for strong economies.” He also noted that Greece is “no longer the black sheep of Europe and the entire world,” and that previously “the leaders of all states used Greece as an example to avoid.” “However, Greece grew stronger and endured, mainly because of the sacrifices of Greek citizens, their hard work, their patience, their endurance.” “Greek citizens, with their hard work, kept Greece afloat. The new ambassador of the United States of America will come to see Greece of 2025, and not that of 2015.” The nomination of Ms. Guilfoyle is among the appointments that will necessitate approval from US senators. Prior to her more than ten-year tenure at Fox, Ms. Guilfoyle served as a prosecutor in San Francisco and Los Angeles. Following her departure from broadcasting, she became involved with the Trump campaign. Her appointment represents the most recent in a series of selections involving former or current Fox hosts or contributors. This group includes Pete Hegseth, the president-elect’s nominee for defense secretary; Trump’s nominee for transportation secretary, who previously co-hosted a Fox program; and Janette Nesheiwat, Trump’s choice for surgeon general. Although Ms. Guilfoyle’s precise standing within the Trump family remains somewhat ambiguous, she is not the initial close associate to be appointed to a prominent position. Charles Kushner, who is the father-in-law of Trump’s daughter Ivanka, was designated as ambassador to France. Similarly, Massad Boulos, the father-in-law of Trump’s other daughter Tiffany, was chosen as the president-elect’s senior adviser for Arab and Middle Eastern affairs. Ms. Guilfoyle and Trump’s eldest son have been engaged since 2020. Neither individual has publicly addressed their current relationship status following recent speculation in tabloids.