State of the Day
Hello everyone,
Welcome to State of the Day.
So, I guess we need to talk about diplomacy. Can we perhaps restore some decency to it?
Kimberly Guilfoyle And The Death Of The Diplomat
Kimberly Guilfoyle has never claimed to be a model of diplomatic decorum, and well, she probably couldn’t pull that off if she tried. However, a recent investigation by the Wall Street Journal has revealed that she was apparently soliciting funds through clandestine channels just before her confirmation hearing. This paints a much less flattering picture of Guilfoyle, who many might have thought was just a pretty face without substance.
The Journal’s reporting suggests a troubling scenario surrounding Guilfoyle, now the U.S. ambassador to Greece. It alleges that she pressured Trump donor Eric Deters into paying off her hefty American Express bill, while also conveniently offering to help him with his legal and tax issues through her political connections.
And then there are reports of her, let’s say, reckless behavior, like getting inebriated at 4 a.m. and demanding more ice from her staff. Allegedly, one security staffer was demoted the next day because he didn’t bring her the required ice cubes, while other drivers faced consequences simply for making left turns she didn’t approve of.
Guilfoyle has challenged the authenticity of the messages mentioned by the Journal, but, honestly, the allegations — and let’s be generous here — raise real doubts about her judgment.
It’d be easy to fill an entire column marveling at how absurd this all seems. There’s a strong argument to be made that Guilfoyle isn’t fit for her role — or, frankly, any role that involves a shred of judgment and responsibility. Or maybe she should just be tucked away, like Kristi Noem might be, in some dark corner of the State Department.
But that goes beyond the real issue at hand.
The most concerning aspect of Guilfoyle’s story is what it illustrates about the waning standards for those we appoint to represent the United States abroad.
It’s no secret that American ambassadorships have a political side. Presidents have historically rewarded loyal supporters and rich donors with these posts. Some have been outstanding diplomats; others have treated their roles more like an extended vacation. However, just because a position is political doesn’t mean it shouldn’t be taken seriously.
We expect diplomats to be polished, discreet, and effective. They ought to have the cultural sensibility to navigate foreign environments and the intelligence to grasp the interests of both their country and the one they represent. Importantly, they must have enough self-control to understand that their actions can reflect back on the United States.
In a perfect world, we would be sending the best representatives the country has to offer on the crucial task of maintaining cooperation with foreign governments while furthering American interests abroad.
An ambassador isn’t just executing foreign policy from a sterile office space. They are, in many respects, the face of the United States around the world.
This role requires something that’s becoming increasingly unpopular in our political landscape: calculated restraint.
The troubling aspect of Guilfoyle’s alleged actions goes beyond her becoming a source of national embarrassment. It reflects a concerning trend of viewing ambassadors primarily as political figures, with their duties to represent the U.S. becoming secondary.
Ambassadors aren’t sent overseas merely to play nice with foreign governments. They have a serious job: to advocate for American interests. Achieving that effectively demands credibility, sound judgment, and personal discipline — qualities that can’t just be bought through wealth, a title, or a flashy TV role.
It is possible for an ambassador to embody a political persona and still excel as a diplomat. They should not be seen as mutually exclusive. What should be unacceptable, however, is the notion that diplomacy doesn’t necessitate being diplomatic anymore.
From The Editors’ Desk
Lindsay Clancy-Style Horror Stories Pile Up As Moms Turn On Their Own Children — National Correspondent Rebeka Zeljko is tracking a trend as mothers have taken alarming actions against their children, possibly inspired by the Lindsay Clancy case.
Army report cites systemic flaws that led to fatal DCA midair collision — A new Army investigation into a deadly midair crash in January 2025 has identified years of bureaucratic failures and inadequate pilot training as contributing factors to the tragedy that claimed 67 lives.
Peter Thiel slams Obama, Pope Leo in new ‘Antichrist’ lectures — Billionaire Peter Thiel has allegedly accused former President Obama and Pope Leo XIV of fear-mongering about AI for their benefit, claiming that the antichrist will be an anti-tech figure advocating for a global government.
GOP Rep Virginia Foxx Holds Opioid And Coal Stocks Amid NC Overdose Crisis And Hundreds Of Mine Safety Penalties — Republican Rep. Virginia Foxx’s investments in opioid and coal companies have raised concerns, especially as she opposed federal safety measures while overseeing labor issues.
