President-elect Donald Trump has announced Kimberly Guilfoyle as his nominee for U.S. ambassador to Greece. The appointment must be confirmed by the Senate following a hearing in the Senate Foreign Relations Committee.

Guilfoyle, a former Fox News anchor has held various roles in law and media. She previously served as an assistant California Attorney General and as an adviser to Donald Trump.

Sources in Washington have confirmed to To Vima that Congressman Gus Bilirakis was initially considered for the role. A trusted ally of Trump’s inner circle, Bilirakis was seen as highly qualified for the ambassadorship. However, Republican leaders decided against his appointment due to their slim majority in the House of Representatives, prioritizing legislative stability.

Bilirakis is expected to maintain an influential role within the administration as a liaison to Trump’s “Florida team,” which includes key figures such as incoming White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and National Security Adviser Mike Waltz.

President Trump’s Statement

“Today, I am very pleased to announce the appointment of Kimberly Guilfoyle as the United States Ambassador to Greece,” Trump said. “For many years, Kimberly has been a close friend and ally. 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.”

Trump added that Guilfoyle’s appointment would strengthen bilateral relations with Greece, particularly in defense cooperation, trade, and economic innovation.

Guilfoyle’s Response

In a statement following her nomination, Guilfoyle expressed gratitude for the president-elect’s confidence.

“I’m honored to accept President Trump’s nomination to serve as the next Ambassador to Greece and look forward to earning the support of the U.S. Senate,” she said. “President Trump’s historic victory is bringing hope and optimism to the American people and to freedom-loving allies across the world.”

Guilfoyle continued, “It was the democratic values born in Greece that helped shape the founding of America. 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.


National Security Adviser-designate Mike Waltz also endorsed Guilfoyle’s nomination, describing her as a strong leader. “America’s alliance with Greece is vital to peace and stability in the Eastern Mediterranean, and she is the perfect choice to strengthen that bond,” he said.

Notably, this marks Waltz’s first public comment on Greece since being announced as the next National Security Adviser.

Ambassadorship to Turkey

In a related announcement, Trump nominated Tom Barrack as ambassador to Turkey. A longtime friend of Trump, Barrack is a private equity executive who was acquitted in 2022 of charges related to acting as an agent for the United Arab Emirates.

National Security Adviser-designate Mike Waltz’s remarks about Barrack’s nomination took a different tone. While both Greece and Turkey are NATO allies, nuanced differences between Waltz’s statements reflect a tailored approach to each country’s role in U.S. foreign policy.

“At this critical moment in the Middle East and Europe, President Trump has made a strong choice for Ambassador to Turkey,” Waltz said. “Tom Barrack’s experience and leadership will be crucial in navigating the challenges in the region and advancing our shared security interests.”

For Greece, Waltz highlighted the alliance’s foundational importance to regional stability, while for Turkey, his focus was on addressing immediate geopolitical challenges and shared security interests.