Kimberly Guilfoyle curiously referred to Donald Trump as her “father-in-law” but received an unusually lackluster response from an audience of Florida Republican loyalists, while giving a speech designed to stoke enthusiasm for the former president’s campaign to return to the White House.
Guilfoyle referred to Trump as her “father-in-law” towards the end of her speech, according to a video posted of the Florida GOP’s “victory party.” Guilfoyle’s reference either suggests that she and her long-time fiancé, Donald Trump Jr., have secretly married, or she wanted to emphasize that she’s such a valued member of the Trump family’s inner circle that she sees the GOP contender as a father figure.
Whatever is going on with Guilfoyle’s relationship with Trump Jr., or with his father, the former San Francisco prosecutor-turned MAGA activist had a surprisingly difficult time before a crowd of about 700 Florida Republicans, the Daily Beast reported.
Back in 2020, Guilfoyle was known in Trump World as one of his most in-demand advocates and fundraisers. And on Saturday night, she delivered one of her signature bombastic speeches. But she still failed to generate the expected enthusiasm.
Guilfoyle even had to ask the audience for applause.
“I’m here to tell you don’t lose hope,” Guilfoyle said. “On a personal note, I can tell you that I am as hopeful as ever. Because Americans from all walks of life have had enough of the Democrats’ decline. And we are ready, we are willing, and we are able to spark a new era of American exceptionalism.”
When Guilfoyle paused for applause, there was only a low murmur. So, she burst out, “And you can clap for that.” A video of the speech shows that a few people at a front table began clapping.
The way Guilfoyle asked people to clap was an uncomfortable reminder of an infamous moment created by former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush when he unsuccessfully ran for president in 2016, the Daily Beast said. Bush was speaking to a bored audience in Iowa when he infamously said, “Please clap.”
It’s hard to know why the Florida crowd seemed either bored or distracted as Guilfoyle spoke, especially as Trump won Florida by more than 3 percentage points in 2020, the Daily Beast said. Guilfoyle and Trump Jr. also joined Donald and Melania Trump in making Florida their home after Trump lost the election in 2020.
At Saturday night’s event, Guilfoyle even had a hard time generating excitement when she she brought up her personal connection to Trump’s Democratic nemesis, Kamala Harris, the Daily Beast said.
“I have known her for 25 years. And let me tell you something — do whatever it takes to keep her out of the White House,” Guilfoyle said, pausing for more applause that was muted at best.
The origins of Guilfoyle’s grudge against Harris goes back to the late 1990s and early 2000s, when both were up-and-coming prosecutors in the Bay Area and were known to cross paths, professionally as well as socially.
They reportedly clashed over Guilfoyle’s desire to return to her hometown of San Francisco as she was dating and would soon marry her first husband, Gavin Newsom, another rising political star. At the time, Harris was a former Alameda County prosecutor who supervised the Career Criminal Unit of the San Francisco’s District Attorney’s office.
In 2003, Guilfoyle gave an interview with the San Francisco Chronicle in which she accused Harris of blocking her return to the San Francisco D.A.’s office, after she had been working in Los Angeles. At the time, Newsom and Harris were political allies and both were running for office in San Francisco — Newsom for mayor and Harris for district attorney.
Guilfoyle said she was flummoxed by Harris’ supposed interference, saying, “You have to understand, I came with an excellent resume, and talented women should support other talented women.”
Harris acknowledged to the Chronicle that she called Guilfoyle about returning to San Francisco but remembers that she offered her help. “I never suggested to her there wasn’t a job for her in the San Francisco DA’s office — of that, I’m very clear,” she said. “We have great rapport and have great respect for each other.”
More than 20 years later, Guilfoyle didn’t draw much reaction from the crowd, as she referred to her personal animosity towards Harris, the Daily Beast reported. The muted reaction to her speech could perhaps be explained by the fact that it started later in the lineup. The crowd had already sat through speeches by Sen. Rick Scott, Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody, and Florida Reps. Mario Diaz-Balart and Byron Donalds.
But Guilfoyle at least received cheers and a small standing ovation as she wrapped up her speech, saying, “Victory is in our sight, America’s future is in our hands, America’s destiny is in our control, and America’s prosperity is in our hearts and souls.”
Guilfoyle challenged the crowd to “stay in the fight” and “always keep the faith.” Perhaps the crowd got fired up when she invoked her close relationship to their preferred candidate.
“I say this, on behalf of my father-in-law: God bless you,” Guilfoyle said. “We thank you for your support. God bless your families, God bless President Trump.” Before crossing herself and leaving the stage, Guilfoyle also said, “God bless president the United States of America. She’s worth fighting for.”