NEW YORK (BN24) — Former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani, once hailed as “America’s Mayor” for his leadership following the September 11 attacks, will be awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom, former President Donald Trump announced on Truth Social.
The announcement comes just days after Giuliani was hospitalized with back injuries following a rear-end car collision in New Hampshire. According to police, the accident occurred Saturday evening, with all parties sustaining non-life-threatening injuries. Giuliani has since been released from the hospital, though his security detail reported that he suffered lacerations, contusions, and back pain as a result of the crash.
Trump, who served as president from 2017 to 2021, described Giuliani as “the greatest Mayor in the history of New York City, and an equally great American Patriot.” The Presidential Medal of Freedom is the highest civilian honour in the United States and is awarded to individuals who have made “exceptionally meritorious contributions to the nation’s prosperity, values, or security, world peace, or other significant public or private endeavours.”
Giuliani rose to national prominence for his steady leadership during one of America’s darkest moments, guiding New York through the aftermath of the 9/11 terrorist attacks. His response earned him Time magazine’s Person of the Year title in 2001 and an honorary knighthood from Queen Elizabeth II.
After leaving office as mayor, Giuliani ran unsuccessfully for the Republican presidential nomination in 2008 before becoming a key figure in Trump’s 2016 campaign. He later served as Trump’s personal attorney, playing a central role in post-2020 election efforts to overturn the results. Giuliani was widely criticized for spreading unfounded claims of voter fraud, which ultimately led to a series of legal troubles, including a $148 million defamation judgment against him. The lawsuit, brought by two Georgia election workers, forced Giuliani to file for bankruptcy and contributed to the suspension of his legal license.
While Giuliani has yet to publicly respond to the medal announcement, the honor marks a stark contrast to his recent legal and financial challenges. The timeline for the formal presentation of the award remains unclear.
The Presidential Medal of Freedom has previously been awarded to a wide range of prominent figures, including boxer Muhammad Ali, primatologist Jane Goodall, fashion editor Anna Wintour, and actor Michael J. Fox. In 2017, then-President Barack Obama awarded the medal to his vice president, Joe Biden.
Despite the personal and professional setbacks in recent years, Giuliani remains a polarizing but influential figure in American politics. Though no longer a member of Trump’s legal team, advisers to both men have said their personal relationship has endured.
Credit:BBC
