GOP rep's unusual response to snowballing scandal catches CNN anchor off guard

A Republican congressman offered an unusual response Friday when pressed about allegations that President Donald Trump’s ambassador to Greece sought $100,000 from a political donor to pay off a credit card bill.

The moment happened on CNN when anchor Boris Sanchez asked Rep. Buddy Carter (R-GA) about new reports involving Kimberly Guilfoyle, who allegedly pressed Kentucky donor Eric Deters to wire money to her American Express account days before her July 2025 confirmation hearing.

“Well, certainly the administration will take care of this, and they’ll handle this issue,” Carter responded before making an unexpected quip.

“First of all, I’d like to know who that donor was. I’d like to get in touch with them,” Carter said.

The remark prompted a cheeky response from Sanchez, who offered to help the congressman track down the donor.

“And just so you know, congressman, he’s appeared, I believe, a couple of times on CNN,” Sanchez replied. “We’ll be more than happy to send a link to those interviews.”

“Not sure you should do business with him, but that’s not for me to decide,” the anchor added while both laughed at the light moment.

Deters has also spoken publicly elsewhere, telling ABC News that the request was “all quid pro quo.” He never sent the money. Guilfoyle’s attorney has said she disputes the authenticity of the messages, though CBS News reported, citing sources, that White House officials were told the texts are real.

Despite the unusual response, Carter acknowledged Friday that Guilfoyle’s reported conduct deserved a closer look.

“Obviously this is inappropriate, and obviously this deserves to be addressed,” he said.

Former White House ethics czar Norm Eisen called the messages among the worst he had seen involving a U.S. ambassador, and the State Department’s inspector general has opened a separate investigation into Guilfoyle’s conduct in Greece, the Daily Mail reported.

Earlier in the interview, the Republican congressman also raised concerns about the Pentagon’s plan to livestream the firing squad execution of Fort Hood shooter Nidal Hasan, despite supporting the death penalty.

“I’m not sure that that is the type of thing we should be live streaming,” Carter said. “I just think that may be going a little bit too far.”