Kimberly Guilfoyle resigns as United States ambassador to Greece

WASHINGTON - Kimberly Guilfoyle resigned Tuesday as U.S. ambassador to Greece following a string of damaging reports. 

The announcement came shortly after the new White House press secretary, Katie Zacharia, said, "We have asked Ambassador Guilfoyle to resign. She has been a wonderful asset to the team and we wish her well."

Kimberly Guilfoyle resigns as US ambassador

What they're saying:

"Serving as the United States Ambassador to Greece has been the honor of a lifetime," Guilfoyle said in a statement on X on Tuesday. "I will forever be grateful to President Donald J. Trump and Secretary of State Marco Rubio for entrusting me with the extraordinary privilege of representing the greatest country in the history of the world." 

She also addressed the recent allegations, stating, "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."

She continued, "While my time as Ambassador may be coming to an end, my commitment to President Trump, the America First movement, and the country I love will never end. It has been the honor of my lifetime to serve the United States of America. My deepest heartfelt appreciation to the people of Greece for their hospitality, partnership, and welcoming me with open arms. God bless President Trump, God bless our incredible diplomats and service members, and God bless the United States of America."

Trump looking to fire Kimberly Guilfoyle

The backstory:

Trump also said on Monday that he was "looking" at whether to fire Ms. Guilfoyle, according to the New York Times. 

Trump and Secretary of State Marco Rubio have been contemplating firing Guilfoyle after various reports alleging she engaged in improper and potentially illegal conduct before and during her tenure in Athens.

The Associated Press reported, citing a senior U.S. official, who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss internal deliberations, said that Trump and Rubio were angered by Guilfoyle’s reported conduct and would decide on what action to take this week after Monday’s Columbus Day holiday.

Kimberly Guilfoyle’s alleged improper conduct

Dig deeper:

In a string of stories. The Wall Street Journal reported questionable conduct by Kimberly Guilfoyle, including an alleged threat to a host country official, accepting improper gifts and services and offering to use her influence inside the Trump administration in return for the payment of a large credit card bill.

In a statement released late Sunday, obtained by The Associated Press, her attorneys denied any wrongdoing by Guilfoyle and alleged that the money she was requesting from the Trump donor was payment for services like public appearances and speaking engagements that predate her ambassadorial nomination that had not been paid.

RELATED: Kimberly Guilfoyle reportedly begged Trump donor to pay her $100K credit card bill: WSJ

Guilfoyle’s attorneys, David Schwartz and Jesse Binnall, also spurned accusations of impropriety related to Guilfoyle’s travel on private planes, telling the AP that before every such trip she "sought, obtained and followed State Department guidance and followed the Department’s travel regulations," they said.