Kimberly Guilfoyle, the United States ambassador to Greece appointed by President Donald Trump, allegedly warned a Greek government minister during a dinner in Athens in March that Washington possesses the capacity to bring down “any country we want” — a claim both American and Greek officials have since disputed, according to a report published by the Wall Street Journal.
The Alleged Exchange
The reported confrontation took place at a dinner with Greek officials in Athens, where Guilfoyle is said to have clashed with Stavros Papastavrou, Greece’s energy minister. Referring to the then-impending collapse of Romania’s pro-EU government, Guilfoyle allegedly declared: “We can do that to any country we want. We can do that here.” Papastavrou reportedly responded by noting that the Greek government is elected by its citizens and therefore not subject to external replacement.
Guilfoyle’s lawyer disputed the Wall Street Journal‘s characterisation of the exchange. Greek officials moved swiftly to deny that any threats were issued. Konstantinos Kyranakis, the party general secretary, stated he was present at the event and said plainly: “I was right there. There was no threat to Greece.” Government spokesperson Pavlos Marinakis added: “There was never an issue of the Greek government being threatened. And to be serious, something of the sort would never have been acceptable.” The White House had not responded to requests for comment at the time of publication.
Why the Allegations Carry Particular Weight in Greece
The sensitivity of such remarks — if accurately reported — would be difficult to overstate in the Greek context. Greece suffered a near-total economic collapse in 2015 following a prolonged sovereign debt crisis and a multi-year depression that left the country’s institutions severely weakened and its population acutely aware of external financial leverage. Any suggestion that a foreign power could engineer governmental instability would resonate with particular force in Athens.
Romania’s government did indeed fall in May, ousted by a no-confidence vote that removed Prime Minister Ilie Bolojan. The Romanian leu fell to a record low against the euro in the days preceding the vote.
Guilfoyle’s Background and Appointment
Guilfoyle, 57, was announced as US ambassador to Greece in December 2024. A lawyer by training, she served as a prosecutor in California before building a prominent television career at Fox News. She was previously engaged to Donald Trump Jr. On her nomination, Trump wrote on Truth Social that “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.”
Guilfoyle herself welcomed the appointment in terms that emphasised continuity and alliance. “It was the democratic values born in Greece that helped shape the founding of America,” she said. “As ambassador, I look forward to delivering on the Trump agenda, supporting our Greek allies, and ushering in a new era of peace and prosperity.” Whether the reported exchange in Athens reflects the tenor of that agenda remains, for now, a matter of contested accounts.