Trump donor accuses Guilfoyle of seeking $100,000 quid pro quo

Former congressional candidate and lawyer Eric Deters has accused US Ambassador to Greece Kimberly Guilfoyle of asking him to pay off $100,000 in American Express credit card debt in exchange for access to officials in President Donald Trump's administration, according to allegations reported by The Wall Street Journal.

Deters, a Trump donor, alleged that Guilfoyle "ambushed" him before her US Senate confirmation hearing and asked him to settle the debt. In return, she allegedly promised him "ride or die" access to administration officials. Deters said he did not make the payment, says The Guardian.

Deters shared text messages with The Wall Street Journal in which Guilfoyle allegedly urged him to make the payment and criticised him for not being discreet. She also urged him to use Signal, a messaging app, to avoid jeopardising her ambassadorship, according to the report.

Guilfoyle's attorney, Jesse Binnall, disputed the authenticity of the messages. He said Guilfoyle was "owed a balance" for previous travel and speaking appearances, while Deters denied owing her any money.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio declined to comment on the specific allegations during a press conference in Athens but expressed support for the embassy, describing Guilfoyle as "a strong ambassador".

Vice-President JD Vance said he did not "love" the concept in a hypothetical scenario but declined to comment directly, saying "the details really matter".

The allegations have prompted calls from senior Democrats on congressional foreign affairs committees for an investigation. Senator Jeanne Shaheen and Representative Gregory Meeks have urged Rubio to investigate Guilfoyle's conduct.

The claims follow earlier reports in September that Guilfoyle had allowed Greek lobbyists to attend official diplomatic meetings and promoted specific commercial interests.