President Donald Trump announced on Monday that he will award the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the nation’s highest civilian honor, to former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani. The announcement followed a weekend car accident in New Hampshire that left Giuliani, Trump’s former personal attorney, hospitalized.
“As President of the United States of America, I am pleased to announce that Rudy Giuliani, the greatest Mayor in the history of New York City, and an equally great American Patriot, will receive THE PRESIDENTIAL MEDAL OF FREEDOM,” Trump posted on Truth Social, adding that the time and location for the ceremony would be announced later.
On Saturday evening, Giuliani was hospitalized after his vehicle was struck from behind at high speed. According to his head of security, Michael Ragusa, the former mayor was taken to a trauma center where he was diagnosed with a fractured thoracic vertebra, multiple lacerations, and injuries to his arm and leg. Ragusa noted Sunday that Giuliani was “fully alert and conscious” and “in great spirits.”
Giuliani, who served as mayor from 1994 to 2001, gained national prominence as “America’s Mayor” for his leadership following the 9/11 terrorist attacks. He was also widely credited with revitalizing New York City during the 1990s.
However, his reputation has been marred by significant legal and financial troubles stemming from his role in Trump’s efforts to overturn the 2020 presidential election. Last year, Giuliani was disbarred in New York state and Washington, D.C. He also faced a $148 million defamation judgment, later settled, for making false allegations against two Georgia election workers, Ruby Freeman and Shaye Moss.
Despite these controversies, Trump has remained a staunch supporter. In June, the president appointed Giuliani to an advisory council within the Department of Homeland Security and named his son, Andrew, to lead the White House Task Force for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
In a statement to CNN, Giuliani’s spokesperson, Ted Goodman, praised the decision. “There is no American more deserving of this honor. Mayor Rudy Giuliani took down the Mafia, saved New York City, comforted the nation following 9/11, and served in countless other ways to improve the lives of others,” Goodman said. “Thank you, President Trump, for honoring his life and legacy.”
Giuliani joined Trump’s legal team in 2018 and later came under federal investigation for his efforts to pressure Ukraine into investigating then-candidate Joe Biden and his son, Hunter. Prosecutors ultimately closed the investigation without bringing charges. After the 2020 election, Trump placed him in charge of the campaign’s legal challenges to the results.
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