Newsom breaks silence on ex-wife Kimberly Guilfoyle scandal and his response is surprising

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California Gov. Gavin Newsom addressed the growing controversy Saturday involving his estranged wife, Kimberly Guilfoyle, by offering a brief response when questioned while campaigning for Democratic candidates in New Hampshire.

When CBS News reporter Jared Ochacher asked Newsom for his reaction to Guilfoyle’s recent departure as U.S. ambassador to Greece following allegations of misconduct, Newsom paused and rubbed his eyes before responding.

“I don’t know enough,” Newsom said. “I haven’t spoken to him in a while. I just wish him the best, and I don’t have much, honestly, to say about it. It’s unfortunate.”

The comments mark the first time Newsom, a prominent critic of President Donald Trump, has publicly addressed the scandal surrounding Guilfoyle.

Guilfoyle’s departure from his diplomatic post follows allegations made by former Kentucky congressional candidate Eric Deters. Deters published text messages he claimed were between him and Guilfoyle, claiming she had offered access to the Trump family in exchange for paying his $100,000 American Express bill.

Guilfoyle denied the allegations, saying the messages had been doctored, although other allegations of cash-for-access schemes later emerged.

His firing was announced on live television Tuesday by then-White House press secretary Katie Zacharia during her first news conference. Zacharia was dismissed five days into his position.

Guilfoyle was appointed to the ambassadorship after maintaining ties to the administration following her breakup with Donald Trump Jr. The couple was engaged from 2020 to 2024, ending their relationship amid reports involving Palm Beach socialite Bettina Anderson.

Donald Trump Jr. and Anderson were married May 21 in the Bahamas in a three-day event reportedly financed by Russian oligarch Umar Kremlev. Donald Trump, who did not attend the ceremony, later said his son had reimbursed Kremlev for the event’s costs.

Newsom and Guilfoyle met at a political event in 1994 and married in December 2001. They filed for divorce in January 2005 and the separation was finalized in February 2006.