U.S. Ambassador to Greece Kimberly Guilfoyle found herself in hot moussaka after promoting the opening of a new McDonald’s as a diplomatic win for both countries.
Ms. Guilfoyle posted photos on X of her cutting the ribbon at the new McDonald’s at the Mall in Athens, which she boasted was “the most technologically advanced McDonald’s in all of Europe.”
“American businesses investing here create jobs and bring American culture — and delicious food — to the Greek people,” she wrote, calling it “an exciting day for Greece!”
The reaction from Greeks, who pride themselves on their Mediterranean diets and local food, was decidedly negative. The Daily Mail compiled a list of social media posts slamming Ms. Guilfoyle over passing off a McDonald’s opening as a diplomatic achievement.
“Greeks do not eat McDonald’s, it’s mainly the tourists, ’We prefer domestic options or the awesome local, freshly sourced food,” one critic wrote.
“Jesus wept. Greece has the best fast food in the world — gyros. They don’t want that junk and calling it ’an exciting day for Greece’ is so Trumpian,” another fumed online.
It was an unusual publicity jolt for Ms. Guilfoyle, a prosecutor-turned-TV personality and one-time domestic partner of Donald Trump Jr., who enjoys star status in Greece.
Some questioned whether cutting the ribbon at a McDonald’s was the best use of Ms. Guilfoyle’s time amid rising tensions between Greece and Turkey.
Greece on Friday demanded that the European Union “step in” over what it said was unlawful fishing and violations of maritime law by Turkish fishermen.
“While Turkey is passing outrageous laws over the Aegean and openly threatening to invade Greek islands, the US Ambassador is busy with the opening of a McDonald’s restaurant,” a critic wrote on social media.
’The U.S. ambassador’s diplomatic schedule in Greece must be incredibly relaxed if strengthening US-Greece relations now means cutting ribbons at McDonald’s openings. Peak strategic partnership,” snarked another critic.
There are more than two dozen McDonald’s in Greece since the franchise first arrived in the nation 35 years ago.
The U.S. Embassy in Greece did not respond to a request for comment.
Please read our comment policy before commenting.