President Donald Trump said he was disappointed by allegations involving former U.S. Ambassador to Greece Kimberly Guilfoyle but declined to consider the possibility of granting her a presidential pardon following her resignation.
Speaking to Newsmax host Rob Finnerty, Trump said he had not spoken with Guilfoyle since reports emerged accusing her of professional misconduct and using her diplomatic position for personal business interests.
“Well, I don’t want to think about it,” Trump said when asked whether he would consider pardoning Guilfoyle.
“I was disappointed in what I read. I just read some things. I haven’t spoken to her,” he added.
Trump Praises Guilfoyle’s Performance Despite Allegations
Trump acknowledged his longstanding acquaintance with Guilfoyle, who was previously engaged to his son Donald Trump Jr., while emphasizing that he had been satisfied with her performance as ambassador.
“I’ve known her for many years,” Trump said, adding that she had been “the toast of the town over in Greece.”
“She was doing a very good job as the, you know, ambassador to Greece, so I’m disappointed she’s a very capable person,” the president said.
Trump also referred to text messages attributed to Guilfoyle that were published in news reports, saying their contents had surprised him.
“When I read the kind of thing she was saying on a text, it was, I read them in the papers in the newspapers. I was surprised. I was disappointed,” he said.
Guilfoyle’s resignation followed allegations that she had improperly used her diplomatic position for private business purposes. The allegations have prompted an investigation.
Trump Addresses Possibility of Self-Pardon
During the same interview, Trump also addressed whether he would consider pardoning himself before leaving office.
The president maintained that he had committed no wrongdoing but asserted that he possesses the authority to issue a self-pardon.
“I’m allowed to do a pardon, a self pardon. I’m allowed to pardon,” Trump said.
He noted that he could have issued himself a pardon during his first term but ultimately decided against it.
“I could have given myself a pardon the last time I left office,” Trump said, referring to the criminal proceedings he subsequently faced.
Asked whether he regretted that decision, Trump responded, “Well, I won, but I, I won the hard way.”
He also suggested that he might consider pardons for political associates to prevent them from facing lengthy legal proceedings.
“I don’t wanna see people that work for me go through years of nonsense, hire lawyers and everything else, all for nothing,” Trump said.
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