Former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani has been hospitalized in critical but stable condition, his spokesperson confirmed on Sunday. The 81-year-old Republican had sounded hoarse during his nightly online show just days earlier, telling viewers his voice was "a little under the weather."
Hospitalization Details
Spokesperson Ted Goodman did not disclose the cause of Giuliani's hospitalization, how long he has been there, or his prognosis. In a statement, Goodman said, "Mayor Giuliani is a fighter who has faced every challenge in his life with unwavering strength, and he's fighting with that same level of strength as we speak." He added that Giuliani "remains in critical but stable condition."
Giuliani's Legacy
Giuliani served eight years as mayor of New York City, with his tenure punctuated by the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks in his final months in office. His leadership after the al-Qaida attack that destroyed the World Trade Center twin towers earned him the nickname "America's mayor."
After leaving office, Giuliani made an unsuccessful run for president and later became a key adviser to President Donald Trump, spearheading efforts to overturn the 2020 election results. Last year, Trump announced he would award Giuliani the Presidential Medal of Freedom.
Recent Health Concerns
On Friday, Giuliani coughed as he began his show "America's Mayor Live." His voice sounded raspier than usual. Before discussing the Iran war, he remarked, "My voice is a little under the weather, so I won't be able to speak as loudly as I usually do, but I'll get closer to the microphone."
Trump reacted on Truth Social, calling Giuliani "a True Warrior, and the Best Mayor in the History of New York City, BY FAR." He added, "What a tragedy that he was treated so badly by the Radical Left Lunatics... So sad!"
Legal Troubles
As Trump's personal attorney, Giuliani became a vocal proponent of election fraud allegations following the 2020 election, which was won by Democrat Joe Biden. Trump and his allies lost dozens of lawsuits, and multiple recounts and audits found no evidence of significant wrongdoing.
Two former Georgia election workers won a $148 million defamation judgment against Giuliani. He faced contempt of court and a trial over asset ownership but ultimately struck a deal allowing him to keep his homes and prized World Series rings in exchange for compensation and a promise not to speak ill of the workers.
Previous Hospitalization
Giuliani was previously hospitalized in September 2024 after suffering a fractured vertebra and other injuries in a car crash in New Hampshire.
Political Career
A native New Yorker, Giuliani was elected mayor in 1993 after serving as a high-profile federal prosecutor who took on mobsters and corrupt Wall Street traders. He ran for the U.S. Senate in 2000 but withdrew after a prostate cancer diagnosis.
In 2007, he ran for president as a Republican front-runner but struggled in the primaries due to concerns over his past support for abortion rights, gay rights, and gun control, as well as questions about his personal life and business ties. He later pivoted to political commentary.
In 2016, Trump relied on Giuliani's loyalty and political skills to attack Democratic rival Hillary Clinton. After Trump's victory, Giuliani continued as his attack dog, including traveling to Ukraine to seek damaging information about Hunter Biden.
