Former ‘The View’ Host Debbie Matenopoulos Bids for U.S. Ambassador to Greece Role
Debbie Matenopoulos launches a campaign to replace Kimberly Guilfoyle as U.S. Ambassador to Greece following Guilfoyle's resignation amid financial scandal.
POLICY WIRE — Washington, D.C. — Former television personality Debbie Matenopoulos has officially launched a campaign to secure the position of U.S. Ambassador to Greece. The vacancy follows the resignation of Kimberly Guilfoyle, who stepped down this week at the request of President Donald Trump.
Guilfoyle, who was nominated in late 2024 and sworn in during September 2025, faced pressure to resign after reports surfaced alleging she requested a Trump donor to settle her personal credit card debt. Guilfoyle has publicly denied these claims, labeling them false and vowing to fight the allegations.
Matenopoulos, a former co-host of The View, announced her candidacy via a social media video on Thursday. Despite lacking formal diplomatic experience, she cited her fluency in Greek, her possession of a Greek passport, and her background as a successful entrepreneur as key qualifications for the post.
In her announcement, Matenopoulos stated: No. 1, I speak the language. It was my first language before I even spoke English. No. 2, I have a Greek passport. She further emphasized her deep personal ties to the nation, noting that she has family residing there and that she is the first of her family to be born in the United States.
The television host argued that her professional background provides a unique advantage. She told Page Six that her 30 years of live television experience, including over 10,000 hours of public speaking, have prepared her for the role. She noted that her associates have already contacted the Trump administration on her behalf.
Regarding the outgoing ambassador, Matenopoulos remarked: “No disrespect to Kimberly Guilfoyle. You don’t need any qualifications to be an ambassador to any country… you just need to be an entrepreneur, a successful businesswoman or businessman, or political donor. And you have to be approved by the president and the U.S. Senate.”
President Trump addressed the departure of his appointee shortly after the resignation, stating: “She went to Greece, she was doing a good job, but we didn’t like what we were reading.” Guilfoyle maintained in a statement that her tenure was the honor of a lifetime and that she had worked to advance the America First agenda.
Matenopoulos, who studied journalism at New York University, previously appeared on programs such as Good Day Live, Insider, and Home & Family. She maintains that her bid is focused on fostering stronger international relations rather than partisan politics.
Reporting by Policy-Wire (PW)
