When the White House asked Kimberly Guilfoyle to resign as U.S. ambassador to Greece, the news barely surprised Athens.
For five days, politicians and journalists had been trading word of Washington's displeasure, and the Greek government spent the time making sure it was not seen to take a side.
"An internal U.S. matter" was the line officials gave anyone who asked.
Their message was that relations between the two countries run deeper than any one ambassador, resting on defense, energy and diplomacy.
"We continue and have cooperation, the highest possible cooperation, with our strategic ally, the United States," government spokesman Pavlos Marinakis said.
Ms. Guilfoyle, a former Fox News host and former fiancée of Donald Trump Jr., arrived in Athens last November and was an energetic envoy.
She championed U.S. energy projects at the center of Greek policy, including the Vertical Corridor, a gas route meant to carry American liquefied natural gas north into Europe.
Her troubles began with a Wall Street Journal report that she threatened Greek officials and cited America's ability to destabilize governments.
She and the Greek government denied it, and Secretary of State Marco Rubio, in Athens last week, backed her.
"Our embassy here is doing an excellent job," he said.
Hours later, shortly before midnight Wednesday, the Journal reported that she asked the Trump donor Eric Deters in July 2025 to pay $100,000 toward an American Express debt.
Mr. Deters says he did not pay. Her lawyers say he owes her about $150,000 for earlier speeches and consulting.
She denies wrongdoing, and none of the claims has been proven.
As he left Greece, Mr. Rubio sounded irritated, saying he had not examined the evidence and would handle the matter "appropriately."
By Saturday, officials with lines to Washington were confident a change was coming.
"There was a sense that something was going on," one said.
By Yianni Kantelis