White House confirms resignation demand; Trump says Guilfoyle 'was not family.' New spokesperson Zacharia holds first briefing as midterm campaign push expands.

Kimberly Guilfoyle, US ambassador to Greece [EPA]
Kimberly Guilfoyle, US ambassador to Greece [EPA]

Kimberly Guilfoyle, the US ambassador to Greece who was once engaged to President Donald Trump's eldest son, resigned Tuesday (local time) after a series of misconduct allegations, including claims that she asked a Trump political donor to cover her credit card bills. Trump distanced himself from Guilfoyle, saying "she was not our family."

White House Press Secretary Katie Zacharia confirmed at a briefing Tuesday that the administration had asked Guilfoyle to resign. "She was a great asset to our team, and we wish her well," Zacharia said.

According to US media including the Associated Press, Guilfoyle announced her resignation after the White House's demand became public.

Guilfoyle is alleged to have asked a Trump political donor to pay $100,000 in credit card bills on her behalf ahead of her Senate confirmation hearing last July. She also faces allegations of accepting improper gifts and other benefits from Greek chaebol. Her representatives have denied the allegations.

Trump, speaking to reporters Tuesday (local time), said he was reviewing whether to dismiss Guilfoyle. "We're looking at it. We don't view this situation favorably," he said.

Trump told reporters Wednesday that "she was doing good things in Greece, but we didn't like what was being reported," adding that she "will not be staying there."

He also distanced himself from their personal connection, saying Guilfoyle "was not our family" and that she had "dated my son, I think, a long time ago."

A former California prosecutor, Guilfoyle also served as a host on Fox News, the pro-Trump broadcast network, and was at one point engaged to Donald Trump Jr.

Meanwhile, when asked at the briefing whether Trump planned to take on more campaign events with the midterm elections three weeks away, Zacharia said, "Absolutely. We expect the schedule to get even busier."

She added that "Kentucky was just added to the schedule, and there are a few more stops planned on the way down to Florida — so there will be rallies in Georgia, Kentucky and Florida."

Zacharia, who succeeded Karoline Leavitt as the Trump administration's White House press secretary, began her official duties Tuesday (local time) and held her first briefing Wednesday.


mokiya@heraldcorp.com