Eric Deters alleges Kimberly Guilfoyle offered administration access for $100,000; she denies it
Trump donor Eric Deters alleges Kimberly Guilfoyle asked him in 2025 to pay her $100,000 credit card bill while offering him access to administration officials. Guilfoyle says the allegations are false, and her lawyers say she was collecting a debt for past work.
Case period:
Published by The Dispute Index editorial teamPublished Updated
Overview
Eric Deters, a Kentucky businessman and Trump donor, alleges that Kimberly Guilfoyle asked him in July 2025 to pay her $100,000 American Express bill while offering to help him reach senior Trump administration officials. The Wall Street Journal reported the allegation on October 7, 2026, citing messages Deters provided in which Guilfoyle asked him to wire the money. Deters says he did not pay and calls the exchange a quid pro quo. Guilfoyle's lawyers say Deters owed her about $150,000 for speeches and consulting work done before her nomination and that she was trying to collect it. Guilfoyle, who resigned as U.S. ambassador to Greece on October 13, 2026 at the White House's request, says the allegations are false.
Read the full background
Eric Deters, a Kentucky businessman and former lawyer, says he paid Kimberly Guilfoyle about $300,000 over several years to speak at his Freedom Fest events, according to The Wall Street Journal (opens in a new tab). After Donald Trump won the 2024 election, Deters sought her help with an IRS review of his taxes and with his push for the extradition of Abubakar Atiq Durrani, a former Ohio spine surgeon who fled to Pakistan. He told the Journal he promised her as much as $1 million if she succeeded. The Journal reported that Guilfoyle forwarded Deters messages she had sent on his behalf to Billy Long, then the IRS commissioner.
On July 3, 2025, six days before her Senate confirmation hearing as ambassador to Greece, Guilfoyle sent Deters payment instructions for her American Express account and asked him to wire $100,000, according to messages Deters provided to the Journal. In one message she said a wire to American Express would not show up anywhere. Deters declined, telling her it would cost him his marriage, and he later told CNN (opens in a new tab) he did not have the money at the time. He has since described the exchange as a quid pro quo in interviews, including with PBS NewsHour (opens in a new tab), and has said he went public because the administration did not help Durrani's former patients. The Kentucky Bar Association twice suspended Deters, and he now describes himself as a retired lawyer.
Guilfoyle's lawyer Jesse Binnall told the Journal that she disputed the authenticity of the messages and was owed a balance for speaking at Deters's events. In an October 12 statement (opens in a new tab), Binnall and David M. Schwartz said Deters owes her about $150,000 for speeches and consulting work under a 2024 agreement and that her request was an effort to collect that debt. Deters says he owes her nothing, says she asked him to write a letter stating that he owed her money, and has said he will sue her and her lawyers for defamation (CNN (opens in a new tab)). The Journal reported that a June 11, 2025 letter from Deters said his consulting company owed Guilfoyle $50,000.
The State Department's Office of the Inspector General began investigating Guilfoyle and the U.S. Embassy in Greece, NBC News reported (opens in a new tab) on October 9. On October 13, 2026, the White House asked Guilfoyle to resign, and she announced her departure on X while calling the allegations false (NBC News (opens in a new tab)). The Journal has separately reported on her travel and on a Greek company's lobbyist; those reports concern other allegations.
We have not seen the full set of messages, the 2024 agreement or the payment records that each side cites. Guilfoyle's lawyers have not released the documents they describe, and the messages are known through Deters's release of them to news outlets.
People in this case
Kimberly GuilfoyleDirectly involved
Timeline
6 timeline entries on this page. Dates: July 3, 2025 to October 13, 2026
July 2025
Guilfoyle asks Deters to wire $100,000 to American Express, according to messages he provided
Claim
According to messages Eric Deters provided to The Wall Street Journal, Kimberly Guilfoyle sent him American Express payment instructions on July 3, 2025 and asked him to complete the payment that day. Deters replied that he could not pay $100,000 without risking his marriage. Guilfoyle's lawyer has said she disputes the authenticity of the messages.
[01]The Wall Street Journal
The Wall Street Journal report that first published Eric Deters's allegation, based on hundreds of messages, emails and letters he provided. It quotes messages attributed to Kimberly Guilfoyle, gives Deters's account of their dealings, and includes the response of her lawyer, Jesse Binnall, who said she disputed the authenticity of the messages and was owed a balance for speaking at Deters's events.
'Honey Please': Kimberly Guilfoyle Pushed Donor to Wire $100,000 to Her Amex Account · The Wall Street JournalOpening section on the July 3, 2025 messages; later sections on Deters's requests, the June 11, 2025 letter and the July 3 exchangeGuilfoyle appears at her Senate confirmation hearing for ambassador to Greece
Kimberly Guilfoyle had her confirmation hearing before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee as the nominee for U.S. ambassador to Greece, six days after the messages about the American Express payment.
[01]The Wall Street Journal
The Wall Street Journal report that first published Eric Deters's allegation, based on hundreds of messages, emails and letters he provided. It quotes messages attributed to Kimberly Guilfoyle, gives Deters's account of their dealings, and includes the response of her lawyer, Jesse Binnall, who said she disputed the authenticity of the messages and was owed a balance for speaking at Deters's events.
'Honey Please': Kimberly Guilfoyle Pushed Donor to Wire $100,000 to Her Amex Account · The Wall Street JournalOpening section on the July 3, 2025 messages; later sections on Deters's requests, the June 11, 2025 letter and the July 3 exchange
October 2026
The Wall Street Journal reports Deters's allegation
Source release
The Wall Street Journal reported that Guilfoyle pressed Deters in July 2025 to pay her $100,000 American Express bill while offering to help him with administration officials, citing hundreds of messages, emails and letters Deters provided. Guilfoyle's lawyer said she disputed the authenticity of the messages and was owed a balance for speaking at his events.
[01]The Wall Street Journal
The Wall Street Journal report that first published Eric Deters's allegation, based on hundreds of messages, emails and letters he provided. It quotes messages attributed to Kimberly Guilfoyle, gives Deters's account of their dealings, and includes the response of her lawyer, Jesse Binnall, who said she disputed the authenticity of the messages and was owed a balance for speaking at Deters's events.
'Honey Please': Kimberly Guilfoyle Pushed Donor to Wire $100,000 to Her Amex Account · The Wall Street JournalOpening section on the July 3, 2025 messages; later sections on Deters's requests, the June 11, 2025 letter and the July 3 exchangeState Department inspector general is investigating Guilfoyle, NBC News reports
NBC News reported, citing two people familiar with the decision, that the State Department's Office of the Inspector General was investigating Guilfoyle and the U.S. Embassy in Greece. The inspector general's office said it does not confirm, deny or comment on investigations.
[02]NBC News
NBC News report that the State Department's Office of the Inspector General was investigating Guilfoyle and the U.S. Embassy in Greece, according to two people familiar with the decision. The inspector general's office said it does not confirm, deny or comment on investigations.
State Department watchdog probing Kimberly Guilfoyle amid alleged $100,000 demand · NBC NewsOpening paragraphsTrump says the administration is looking at Guilfoyle's position
Asked whether he was considering firing Guilfoyle, President Trump told reporters that the administration was looking at it and was not happy.
[03]CNN
CNN transcript of Anderson Cooper 360 hosted by John Berman. The Guilfoyle segment includes a clip of President Trump saying the administration was looking at her position, an interview with Eric Deters responding to her lawyers' statement, and an interview with former senator and ambassador Jeff Flake.
Anderson Cooper 360, October 12, 2026 (CNN transcript) · CNNGuilfoyle segment from the 20:15:34 marker: Trump clip, John Berman's interview with Eric Deters, then his interview with Jeff Flake[04]CNN
CNN report on the White House request that Guilfoyle resign. It covers her resignation post, her lawyers' statement to CNN, Deters's account, Trump's October 12 comment that the administration was considering her removal, and calls for investigation from House Democrats.
White House ousts Kimberly Guilfoyle as US ambassador to Greece · CNNFull reportGuilfoyle resigns as ambassador to Greece at the White House's request
White House press secretary Katie Zacharia said the administration had asked Guilfoyle to resign, and Guilfoyle announced her departure on X the same day. A White House official said the White House had received her formal resignation.
[05]NBC News
NBC News report on Guilfoyle's resignation at the White House's request. It includes press secretary Katie Zacharia's announcement, Trump's comments, Deters's interview with NBC News and the October 12 statement from Guilfoyle's attorneys.
Kimberly Guilfoyle, U.S. ambassador to Greece, resigns amid misconduct allegations · NBC NewsFull report[04]CNN
CNN report on the White House request that Guilfoyle resign. It covers her resignation post, her lawyers' statement to CNN, Deters's account, Trump's October 12 comment that the administration was considering her removal, and calls for investigation from House Democrats.
White House ousts Kimberly Guilfoyle as US ambassador to Greece · CNNFull report
Claims
Claims separate what was said from what is contested. Follow each source for the original wording and context.
What's disputed
Disputed claim
Kimberly Guilfoyle asked Eric Deters to pay her $100,000 American Express bill in July 2025 in exchange for helping him reach senior Trump administration officials.
Sources (2)
- 'Honey Please': Kimberly Guilfoyle Pushed Donor to Wire $100,000 to Her Amex Account · The Wall Street JournalOpening section on the July 3, 2025 messages; later sections on Deters's requests, the June 11, 2025 letter and the July 3 exchange
- 'It was a definite quid pro quo.' GOP donor who accused Guilfoyle of corruption speaks out · PBS NewsHourFull transcript; Deters's answer after Nawaz asks him to confirm that he considers the request a quid pro quo
Disputed claim
Eric Deters owes Kimberly Guilfoyle about $150,000 for speeches and consulting work she performed before her nomination as ambassador, and her request for payment was an effort to collect that debt.
Sources (1)
- Guilfoyle Lawyers Deny Wrongdoing, Dispute Travel Allegations · To VimaStatement by Guilfoyle's Attorneys, reproduced in full below the report
Response record
Responses
Choose one response filter, or select All responses to see the full record.
3 matching responses. Newest first.
Kimberly GuilfoyleU.S. ambassador to Greece, in a post on her personal X account announcing her departureDirectly involvedBefore this statement
The post came shortly after White House press secretary Katie Zacharia told reporters that the administration had asked Guilfoyle to resign. Most of the post thanks President Trump and Secretary of State Marco Rubio and lists energy and defense work from her tenure.
"I also want to address the recent allegations against me. These allegations are false, and I intend to vigorously defend my name, my reputation, and my integrity. I have dedicated my professional life to fighting for justice, standing up for what is right, and defending the values that make America exceptional. I will not allow false accusations to define my decades of public service."
DeniedResponding to: Kimberly Guilfoyle asked Eric Deters to pay her $100,000 American Express bill in July 2025 in exchange for helping him reach senior Trump administration officials.
Full statement and sources
In a post on X announcing that her time as ambassador was ending, Kimberly Guilfoyle said the recent allegations against her are false and that she intends to defend her name, reputation and integrity.
After the statement
She ended the post by saying her time as ambassador may be coming to an end and that she remains a supporter of Trump. A White House official later said the White House had received her formal resignation.
Kimberly Guilfoyle's X post on leaving her post as ambassador to GreeceSixth paragraph, beginning with the words about recent allegationsKimberly Guilfoyle, U.S. ambassador to Greece, resigns amid misconduct allegations · NBC NewsFull reportWhy this label?
The reference point is Eric Deters's allegation that Kimberly Guilfoyle, shortly before her July 2025 Senate confirmation hearing, asked him to pay her $100,000 American Express bill while offering to help him reach senior Trump administration officials. Denied: Guilfoyle writes that "These allegations are false" in a passage addressing the recent allegations against her, which include Deters's account. The closest competing label is Challenged the characterization; it loses because this post offers no alternative account of the request and rejects the allegations outright.
This label describes the statement's response within the context above.
Eric DetersKentucky businessman, retired lawyer and former Trump donor, in an interview on CNN's Anderson Cooper 360Directly involved Before this statement
John Berman asked Deters whether Trump would fire Guilfoyle, and Deters said he expected her to be removed because of the material he had released. Berman then read from her lawyers' statement saying she had been trying to collect about $150,000 for speeches and consulting work and asked for his response.
"I think what I've presented, she can't escape from, it's black and white, it's her own words. And I think she's toast as a result of it. It's grifting on the highest level and it's just an awful look for the administration. ... In all the text messages, she doesn't mention anything about me owing money. What she talks about is papering this. So, what she asked me to do was make up that I owed her money and write her a letter, and I did that for her. She knows that is phony, and I'm going to be suing him for defamation."
CondemnedResponding to: Eric Deters owes Kimberly Guilfoyle about $150,000 for speeches and consulting work she performed before her nomination as ambassador, and her request for payment was an effort to collect that debt.
Full statement and sources
Responding on CNN to the statement from Guilfoyle's lawyers, Eric Deters said her messages never mentioned money he owed her, said she had asked him to write a letter stating that he owed her money, and said he would sue her and her lawyers for defamation. He called her conduct grifting.
After the statement
Asked directly whether he owed Guilfoyle any money, Deters said he did not and repeated that he would sue for defamation. The Wall Street Journal reported that in a June 11, 2025 letter Deters wrote that his consulting company owed Guilfoyle $50,000, and that he told the paper she had asked him to draft a letter of that kind.
Anderson Cooper 360, October 12, 2026 (CNN transcript) · CNNGuilfoyle segment from the 20:15:34 marker: Trump clip, John Berman's interview with Eric Deters, then his interview with Jeff Flake'Honey Please': Kimberly Guilfoyle Pushed Donor to Wire $100,000 to Her Amex Account · The Wall Street JournalOpening section on the July 3, 2025 messages; later sections on Deters's requests, the June 11, 2025 letter and the July 3 exchangeWhy this label?
The reference point is Eric Deters's allegation that Kimberly Guilfoyle, shortly before her July 2025 Senate confirmation hearing, asked him to pay her $100,000 American Express bill while offering to help him reach senior Trump administration officials. Condemned: Deters restates the allegation, calls it "grifting on the highest level" and rejects the lawyers' account that Guilfoyle was collecting a debt. The closest competing label is Denied; it loses because his denial concerns the lawyers' claim that he owed her money, while on the allegation itself he repeats and criticizes the conduct he describes.
This label describes the statement's response within the context above.
Eric DetersKentucky businessman, retired lawyer and Trump donor, in an interview on PBS NewsHourDirectly involved Before this statement
Amna Nawaz asked Deters why he was releasing a document of nearly 300 pages of messages and other records. He said he had given administration officials a last chance to help extradite Abubakar Atiq Durrani, a former Ohio spine surgeon who fled to Pakistan, and that he was acting out of revenge for their failure to help Durrani's former patients. Nawaz then asked him to confirm that he saw the $100,000 request as a quid pro quo, and he said that was correct before giving this answer.
"And she promised me that she would be my ride or die in the Trump administration, no request too big, too small, as many requests as I wanted. She would do anything and everything to help me. And she was -- she wanted to cover it up. She wanted to keep it secret. She wanted me to use Signal. She wanted me not to paper it. She got mad at me because I would send e-mails and text messages that she didn't want me to send. The bottom line was, is, it was a definite quid pro quo. That was what she was offering me."
CondemnedResponding to: Kimberly Guilfoyle asked Eric Deters to pay her $100,000 American Express bill in July 2025 in exchange for helping him reach senior Trump administration officials.
Full statement and sources
Eric Deters told PBS NewsHour that Kimberly Guilfoyle asked him for $100,000 after he had already paid her $300,000 in fees, and that she promised in return to help him with any request in the Trump administration. He said she wanted the arrangement kept secret and called it a quid pro quo.
After the statement
Nawaz noted that the Kentucky Bar Association had twice suspended Deters and asked why viewers should believe him. Deters said he disputed that history and described himself as a retired lawyer. Asked about his criticism of Trump family business ventures, he said the request had come from Guilfoyle and that he had done nothing wrong.
'It was a definite quid pro quo.' GOP donor who accused Guilfoyle of corruption speaks out · PBS NewsHourFull transcript; Deters's answer after Nawaz asks him to confirm that he considers the request a quid pro quoWhy this label?
The reference point is Eric Deters's allegation that Kimberly Guilfoyle, shortly before her July 2025 Senate confirmation hearing, asked him to pay her $100,000 American Express bill while offering to help him reach senior Trump administration officials. Condemned: Deters makes the allegation himself, says Guilfoyle wanted the arrangement kept secret and calls it "a definite quid pro quo." The closest competing label is Mixed or conditional; it loses because he attaches no condition or qualification to his account.
This label describes the statement's response within the context above.
Sources
(13)
Reporting
'Honey Please': Kimberly Guilfoyle Pushed Donor to Wire $100,000 to Her Amex Account
Relevant passage: Opening section on the July 3, 2025 messages; later sections on Deters's requests, the June 11, 2025 letter and the July 3 exchange
About this source
The Wall Street Journal report that first published Eric Deters's allegation, based on hundreds of messages, emails and letters he provided. It quotes messages attributed to Kimberly Guilfoyle, gives Deters's account of their dealings, and includes the response of her lawyer, Jesse Binnall, who said she disputed the authenticity of the messages and was owed a balance for speaking at Deters's events.
- Author
- Dana Mattioli, Drew Hinshaw, Rebecca Ballhaus and Joe Parkinson
- Published
- Accessed
Reporting
White House ousts Kimberly Guilfoyle as US ambassador to Greece
Relevant passage: Full report
About this source
CNN report on the White House request that Guilfoyle resign. It covers her resignation post, her lawyers' statement to CNN, Deters's account, Trump's October 12 comment that the administration was considering her removal, and calls for investigation from House Democrats.
- Author
- Alejandra Jaramillo, Kylie Atwood, Jennifer Hansler, Kevin Liptak and Kristen Holmes
- Published
- Accessed
Reporting
State Department watchdog probing Kimberly Guilfoyle amid alleged $100,000 demand
Relevant passage: Opening paragraphs
About this source
NBC News report that the State Department's Office of the Inspector General was investigating Guilfoyle and the U.S. Embassy in Greece, according to two people familiar with the decision. The inspector general's office said it does not confirm, deny or comment on investigations.
- Author
- Abigail Williams, Monica Alba, Dareh Gregorian and Garrett Haake
- Published
- Accessed
Reporting
Kimberly Guilfoyle, U.S. ambassador to Greece, resigns amid misconduct allegations
Relevant passage: Full report
About this source
NBC News report on Guilfoyle's resignation at the White House's request. It includes press secretary Katie Zacharia's announcement, Trump's comments, Deters's interview with NBC News and the October 12 statement from Guilfoyle's attorneys.
- Author
- Dareh Gregorian
- Published
- Accessed
Reporting
Vance on Guilfoyle: If 'something bad' happened, 'then people have to suffer consequences'
Relevant passage: Opening paragraphs and the quoted remarks that follow
About this source
The National News Desk report on Vice President JD Vance's remarks to reporters in Ohio on October 9, 2026 about the allegations against Guilfoyle, as first reported by The Hill.
- Author
- Natalia Mittelstadt
- Published
- Accessed
Reporting
Rubio refuses to comment on Guilfoyle allegations
Relevant passage: Paragraphs on Rubio's remarks before leaving Greece
About this source
Associated Press report on Secretary of State Marco Rubio's responses in Greece to questions about the Journal report, including his statement that he would not address it, and on Vice President JD Vance's comments the same day.
- Author
- Matthew Lee
- Published
- Accessed
Original text
The Lead with Jake Tapper, October 8, 2026 (CNN transcript)
Relevant passage: Guilfoyle segment: clip of Secretary Rubio in Athens, clip of Vice President Vance, then Jake Tapper's interview with Eric Deters
About this source
CNN transcript of The Lead with Jake Tapper. The Guilfoyle segment includes a clip of Secretary of State Marco Rubio answering questions in Athens, a clip of Vice President JD Vance answering a hypothetical question, and an interview with Eric Deters.
- Published
- Accessed
Original text
The Situation Room, October 13, 2026, 11:30 a.m. ET (CNN transcript)
Relevant passage: Live remarks by President Trump to reporters, after Pamela Brown says he is speaking
About this source
CNN transcript that carries President Trump's live remarks to reporters on October 13, 2026, before he left for Alaska, when he was asked about the allegations against Guilfoyle.
- Published
- Accessed
Original text
The Arena with Kasie Hunt, October 8, 2026 (CNN transcript)
Relevant passage: Opening panel on the Journal report; Scott Jennings's answer after Kasie Hunt asks how the request would go over in Trump's world
About this source
CNN transcript of The Arena with Kasie Hunt, aired 4 to 5 p.m. ET on October 8, 2026, which opened with a panel discussion of the Journal report on Guilfoyle and Deters.
- Published
- Accessed
Interview
Anderson Cooper 360, October 12, 2026 (CNN transcript)
Relevant passage: Guilfoyle segment from the 20:15:34 marker: Trump clip, John Berman's interview with Eric Deters, then his interview with Jeff Flake
About this source
CNN transcript of Anderson Cooper 360 hosted by John Berman. The Guilfoyle segment includes a clip of President Trump saying the administration was looking at her position, an interview with Eric Deters responding to her lawyers' statement, and an interview with former senator and ambassador Jeff Flake.
- Published
- Accessed
Original post
Kimberly Guilfoyle's X post on leaving her post as ambassador to Greece
About this source
Guilfoyle's post on her personal X account on October 13, 2026, after the White House said it had asked her to resign. She thanks President Trump and Secretary of State Marco Rubio, lists work from her tenure, and says the recent allegations against her are false.
- Author
- Kimberly Guilfoyle
- Published
- Accessed
Reporting
Guilfoyle Lawyers Deny Wrongdoing, Dispute Travel Allegations
Relevant passage: Statement by Guilfoyle's Attorneys, reproduced in full below the report
About this source
To Vima report that reproduces in full the written statement released on October 12, 2026 by Kimberly Guilfoyle's attorneys, Jesse Binnall and David M. Schwartz. The statement says Eric Deters owes her about $150,000 for speeches and consulting work and also addresses reports about her travel.
- Published
- Accessed
Interview
'It was a definite quid pro quo.' GOP donor who accused Guilfoyle of corruption speaks out
Relevant passage: Full transcript; Deters's answer after Nawaz asks him to confirm that he considers the request a quid pro quo
About this source
PBS NewsHour transcript of Amna Nawaz's interview with Eric Deters. He describes the $100,000 request and what he says Guilfoyle offered in return, says he went public because the administration did not help former patients of Abubakar Atiq Durrani, and answers a question about his own disciplinary record as a lawyer.
- Author
- Amna Nawaz
- Published
- Accessed
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- Title
- Eric Deters alleges Kimberly Guilfoyle offered administration access for $100,000; she denies it
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The Dispute Index. "Eric Deters alleges Kimberly Guilfoyle offered administration access for $100,000; she denies it". First published: 2026-10-14. Last updated: 2026-10-14. https://disputeindex.com/cases/eric-deters-alleges-kimberly-guilfoyle-offered-access-for-100000