It was an announcement made amid a swirl of tabloid speculation: Kimberly Guilfoyle, a loyalist of President-elect Donald Trump and – more pointedly – the fiancee of his son Donald Trump Jr, had been named ambassador to Greece.
The timing of the move – early on Tuesday evening – would have been unremarkable except for what preceded it: rumours that the president-elect’s eldest son was dating a socialite, Bettina Anderson.
Donald Trump Jr and his fiancee Kimberly Guilfoyle at the 2024 Republican National Convention.
Donald Trump Jr and his fiancee Kimberly Guilfoyle at the 2024 Republican National Convention.Credit: nna\NPearson
The new relationship was seemingly documented in a series of photos published earlier on Tuesday by 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 spokesperson for Trump Jr, 46, did not return a request for comment on his relationship with Anderson, or on his engagement with Guilfoyle, to whom he has been betrothed since late 2020. Anderson, 38, also did not return requests for comment.
Bettina Anderson.
Bettina Anderson.Credit: Charles Ommanney/The New York Times
In his announcement of her posting to Greece, the president-elect called 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 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 Anderson was spotted sitting behind Trump Jr — and Guilfoyle — in a red dress. Guilfoyle spoke at the convention, saying, “Donald Trump will never stop fighting for you” about the president-elect.
But speculation about 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 Anderson was a friend of his ex-wife, Vanessa Trump, with whom he shares five children.)
Suspicions about the durability of the engagement were given more fodder when Guilfoyle did not appear in a post-election family portrait, which did feature Vanessa Trump and her children with Trump Jr (Melania Trump — the once and future first lady — was also absent, though the photo did feature Elon Musk.)
Kimberly Guilfoyle has been named ambassador to Greece.
Kimberly Guilfoyle has been named ambassador to Greece.Credit: AP
The chatter has grown in recent days after Anderson, who recently 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 ageing out but I think you’re perfect,” it read.
Anderson added a caption: “Tough but fair.” And eagle-eyed observers noticed that Trump Jr’s Instagram handle was noted in the posting.
All of this has caused a rush of interest in 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.
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 spokesperson for the president-elect, Steven Cheung, said suggestions that Guilfoyle’s appointment was related to her relationship with the younger Trump were “very sexist”.
In an online post after the ambassadorial announcement, Guilfoyle, 55, said she was honoured 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”.
Trump Jr also posted a statement about Guilfoyle, saying he was “so proud of Kimberly”, and that “she will be an amazing leader”.
Cheung did not immediately respond when asked if Trump Jr would accompany Guilfoyle to Greece, if she were confirmed.
Break-up rumours have been swirling for months around the relationship between Donald Trump Jr and his fiancee Kimberly Guilfoyle.
Break-up rumours have been swirling for months around the relationship between Donald Trump Jr and his fiancee Kimberly Guilfoyle.Credit: Bloomberg
This article originally appeared in The New York Times.
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