Deters says Guilfoyle sought $100,000 in exchange for help with Trump administration

The businessman alleges that the U.S. ambassador to Greece asked him to pay her American Express bill before her confirmation hearing. Guilfoyle has denied the accusation, and Deters says he did not send the money.

Eric Deters told CBS News that Kimberly Guilfoyle allegedly asked him to wire $100,000 to an American Express account in exchange for help with matters involving Trump administration officials. The request came in July 2025, days before Senate hearings on Guilfoyle’s nomination as U.S. ambassador to Greece. Deters described the alleged arrangement as an exchange of money for favors, but said he did not make the transfer.

The Wall Street Journal first reported the request and published messages that Deters says he received from Guilfoyle. CBS News said it reviewed screenshots of the exchange provided by the businessman. A representative for Guilfoyle called the accusation “completely false.” In an interview with ABC News, her attorney also disputed the messages’ authenticity and suggested the money under discussion could have reimbursed travel and speaking expenses. The reports do not establish that a payment was made: Deters says he did not send the money.

Deters says he previously paid Guilfoyle and other members of the Trump family for appearances and consulting work. He also said he expected her help with matters involving taxes and an effort to extradite doctor Abubakar Durrani. Deters himself was sanctioned by the Ohio Supreme Court in 2021 for unauthorized legal practice. CBS News and ABC News said they sought comment from Guilfoyle and U.S. agencies. Vice President JD Vance told reporters he disapproves of selling access to government officials, but declined to judge the specific allegations without knowing all the details.