Trump comments on Guilfoyle controversy
US President Donald Trump has responded to recent reports alleging that US Ambassador to Greece Kimberly Guilfoyle engaged in improper conduct before taking up her post, calling the situation “too bad.”
Speaking to reporters outside the White House before departing for a political rally in Alabama, Trump replied to a question whether he knew about the reports.
“I just heard about it, too bad,” Trump said. “I don’t know too much, but she was always very nice.”
In a report earlier this week, the Wall Street Journal said Guilfoyle had asked a Trump donor and supporter to pay a $100,000 credit card bill just before her confirmation hearing, promising him access to administration officials if he did.
Last month the Journal reported that Guilfoyle told guests at a reception in Athens in March that the US could undermine the Greek government if it chose to, promoted the business interests of one particular Greek construction and energy company and allowed its lobbyist into private diplomatic meetings.
Energy Minister Stavros Papastavrou, who was at the reception, subsequently told Parliament that there “was never any issue of pressure or threat against our country to take any action, nor would such a thing ever be tolerated.”
Kathimerini
