BREAKING: New press sec announces White House asked Kimberly Guilfoyle to resign

A reporter asked, “On Kimberly Guilfoyle, the Daily Mail has been reporting on her since last year, the president said yesterday to reporters that he is considering firing her. Do you know a timeline for that, and also potentially who could be on the short list to replace her if he does?"

“We have asked Ambassador Guilfoyle to resign. She has been a wonderful asset to the team, and we wish her well,” Zacharia said.

Not long after the press conference, Guilfoyle announced her resignation. She wrote, “Serving as the United States Ambassador to Greece has been the honor of a lifetime. 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.”

Trump told reporters on Monday that “we’re looking at” firing Guilfoyle. “We’re not happy,” he said. This came after a report from the Wall Street Journal alleging that Guilfoyle had messaged a Trump donor urging him to send $100,000 so she could pay her American Express bill.

Guilfoyle had texted Eric Deters just days before her confirmation hearing, writing in messages obtained by the Wall Street Journal, “Honey please I need you to get this done for me today.” She wrote, “It won’t show up anywhere if you wire money to American Express.” He ultimately did not send the money.

Deters said Guilfoyle told him if he came up with the Amex money, “I will be your Trump ride or die, forever and ever.” Deters told CBS News that he has “no doubt it was pay-to-play" when Guilfoyle asked for funds.

A report from the Daily Mail said that the State Department had launched an investigation into Guilfoyle’s conduct at the US Embassy in Athens. Three sources told the outlet that the State Department Office of Inspector General (OIG) was looking into allegations surrounding potential substance abuse, the use of private planes and helicopters, a close relationship with an energy and construction company, and improper acceptance of gifts, among other things.

Sources told the outlet that the probe was launched after a number of internal complaints. An insider familiar with the complaints said, ”You receive enough complaints and you open up an investigation. That is the way this works. Hopefully this shakes her.”

In her resignation statement, Guilfoyle said she wanted to “address the recent allegations against me.” She wrote, “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.”