Trump Picks Kimberly Guilfoyle, His Son’s Fiancée, as Ambassador to Greece
The announcement came as Donald Trump Jr. has been seen with the socialite Bettina Anderson in Florida.
by https://www.nytimes.com/by/jesse-mckinley · NY TimesIt was an announcement made amid a swirl of tabloid speculation: Kimberly Guilfoyle, a loyalist of President-elect Donald J. Trump and — more pointedly — the fiancée of his son Donald Jr., had been named as his choice to be ambassador to Greece.
The timing of the move — early Tuesday evening — would have been unremarkable except for what preceded it: rumors that the president-elect’s eldest son was dating a socialite, Bettina Anderson.
The new relationship was seemingly documented in a series of photos published earlier on Tuesday by the British tabloid The Daily Mail, which described them as “incontrovertible proof the soon-to-be First Son has moved on” with a “stunning ‘it girl.’”
Andrew Surabian, a spokesman for Mr. Trump, 46, did not return a request for comment on his relationship with Ms. Anderson, or on his engagement with Ms. Guilfoyle, to whom he has been betrothed since late 2020. Ms. Anderson, 38, also did not return requests for comment.
In his announcement of her nomination to the post in Greece, the president-elect called Ms. Guilfoyle “a close friend and ally,” but made no mention of her relationship with his son.
“Her extensive experience and leadership in law, media, and politics along with her sharp intellect make her supremely qualified to represent the United States,” the elder Mr. Trump wrote, in a post on Truth Social.
The suggestions of a love triangle have been swirling for several months, including in July, at the Republican National Convention, where Ms. Anderson was spotted sitting behind Mr. Trump — and Ms. Guilfoyle — in a red dress. Ms. Guilfoyle spoke at the convention, saying, “Donald Trump will never stop fighting for you” about his father.
But speculation about Ms. Anderson’s closeness with the president-elect’s son intensified in September, with reports that the pair were seen kissing during a brunch not long before. (Adding a layer of intrigue were various reports that Ms. Anderson was a friend of his ex-wife, Vanessa Trump, with whom he shares five children.)
Suspicions about the durability of Mr. Trump and Ms. Guilfoyle’s engagement were given more fodder when Ms. Guilfoyle did not appear in a post-election family portrait, which did feature Vanessa Trump and their children. (Melania Trump — the once and future first lady — was also absent, though the photo did feature Elon Musk.)
The chatter has only grown in recent days, after Ms. Anderson — who just celebrated a birthday — posted a story on her Instagram account, showing a lavish bouquet of flowers and a gushy card from an admirer. “Many have said that you’re aging out but I think you’re perfect,” it read.
Ms. Anderson added a caption: “Tough but fair.” And eagle-eyed observers noticed that Mr. Trump’s Instagram handle was noted in the posting.
All of which has caused a rush of interest in Ms. Anderson, who describes herself on Instagram as a “typical stay at home mom.”
“Only I don’t do household chores … or have a husband … or have kids,” she wrote.
Ms. Anderson hails from a prominent family in Palm Beach. She is the daughter of H. Loy Anderson Jr., a well-known local banker, and is involved in philanthropic activities there, having helped found a nonprofit, Project Paradise, a conservation group that aims to safeguard Florida’s environment.
A spokesman for President-elect Trump, Steven Cheung, said suggestions that Ms. Guilfoyle’s nomination was related to her relationship with the younger Mr. Trump were “very sexist.”
In an online post after the ambassadorial announcement, Ms. Guilfoyle, 55, said she was honored by the selection and was looking “forward to delivering on the Trump agenda, supporting our Greek allies, and ushering in a new era of peace and prosperity.”
Donald Trump Jr. also posted a statement about Ms. Guilfoyle, saying he was “so proud of Kimberly,” and that “she will be an amazing leader.”
Mr. Cheung, however, did not immediately respond when asked if Donald Trump Jr. would accompany Ms. Guilfoyle to Greece, if she were confirmed.
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