Kimberly Guilfoyle, Donald Trump’s choice for US Ambassador to Greece, has made highly unflattering remarks about Greeks in the past, particularly during the country’s financial crisis when Greece was struggling to stay afloat.
In 2015, Guilfoyle, while hosting a programme on the American network Fox News, referred to Greeks in terms that many found offensive. She allegedly described them as “freeloaders” who deserved to be punished for rejecting the EU’s bailout package. She also reportedly criticised the outcome of the Greek referendum, portraying Greeks as overly reliant on their government and unwilling to take responsibility.
Guilfoyle is said to have commented that no one likes freeloaders, dismissing Greece’s cultural achievements with remarks implying that even producing excellent yoghurt would not justify their alleged behaviour. She urged Greeks to “get up in the morning and go to work,” criticising early retirement policies and claiming that these practices were at the root of the country’s problems. Additionally, she accused Greek politicians of making unsustainable promises to secure votes through benefits.
In a controversial comparison, Guilfoyle is reported to have likened Greeks to an untrained dog and remarked that they were not being disciplined, much like when a dog urinates on a carpet.
Furthermore, the American magazine People suggested that her appointment as ambassador may have been influenced by internal politics, claiming that she was moved out of Florida due to tensions and assigned to a diplomatic post in Greece, a country considered relatively safe for U.S. diplomats.
Also read: Trump Jr’s ex Kimberly Guilfoyle to be new US ambassador to Greece
Source: Newsit
