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Eric Deters Announces Defamation Suit Against Kimberly Guilfoyle

By Drooid · Oct 15, 2026, 11:41 PM UTC · How we work

Summary

Story summary

U.S. donor Eric Deters announced he will sue former ambassador Kimberly Guilfoyle and her law firm for defamation.
Guilfoyle allegedly texted Deters on Signal requesting a $100,000 wire to an American Express card before her September confirmation hearing.
Guilfoyle’s lawyers claim the messages are inauthentic and that Deters owes her about $150,000 for speaking and consulting fees.
President Donald Trump said the administration was “not happy” and was considering firing Guilfoyle over the alleged request.
White House press secretary Katie Zacharia said the administration asked Guilfoyle to resign.

History

Historical Context

The 1972 Watergate break-in at the DNC headquarters, uncovered on June 17 and leading to President Richard Nixon’s resignation on August 9 1974, resulted in 69 people charged and new ethics laws. That scandal cemented investigative reporting by The Washington Post’s Bob Woodward and Carl Bernstein, a legacy echoed today as donor Eric Deters sues Kimberly Guilfoyle for alleged extortion.

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Story summary

U.S. donor Eric Deters announced he will sue former ambassador Kimberly Guilfoyle and her law firm for defamation.
Guilfoyle allegedly texted Deters on Signal requesting a $100,000 wire to an American Express card before her September confirmation hearing.
Guilfoyle’s lawyers claim the messages are inauthentic and that Deters owes her about $150,000 for speaking and consulting fees.
President Donald Trump said the administration was “not happy” and was considering firing Guilfoyle over the alleged request.
White House press secretary Katie Zacharia said the administration asked Guilfoyle to resign.

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