Rudy Giuliani hospitalized in critical but stable condition, spokesman says

Key facts

• Rudy Giuliani, 81, is hospitalized in critical but stable condition.
• Spokesman Ted Goodman confirmed the news on social media, asking for prayers.
• Giuliani hosted his online show 'America's Mayor Live' on Friday, saying his voice was 'a little under the weather'.
• President Donald Trump called Giuliani 'a True Warrior' and 'the Best Mayor in the History of New York City' on Truth Social.
• Giuliani was previously hospitalized after a car crash in New Hampshire last September.
• He faces criminal charges in Arizona and was disbarred in New York and Washington.
• A federal jury ordered Giuliani to pay $148 million to two election workers he defamed.
• Trump issued Giuliani a sweeping pardon last November for charges related to efforts to overturn the 2020 election.

Giuliani in critical condition, cause unknown

Rudy Giuliani, the former New York City mayor and a central figure in Donald Trump’s efforts to overturn the 2020 election, has been hospitalized and is in critical but stable condition, his spokesman said Sunday. Ted Goodman, in a social media post, described Giuliani as a fighter facing every challenge with unwavering strength and asked the public to join in prayer for 'America’s Mayor.' Goodman did not disclose the cause of Giuliani’s illness, where he is receiving care, or how long he has been hospitalized. Giuliani, 81, hosted his online program 'America’s Mayor Live' on Friday night from Florida, during which he noted his voice was 'a little under the weather.' The hospitalization comes less than a year after he was injured in a car accident in New Hampshire, where he was a passenger in a Ford Bronco struck from behind.

Trump rallies behind Giuliani, repeats election falsehoods

President Donald Trump took to his social media platform Truth Social on Sunday to praise his former attorney, calling him 'a True Warrior' and 'the Best Mayor in the History of New York City, BY FAR.' Trump went on to repeat baseless claims that the 2020 election was stolen, writing, 'They cheated on the Elections, fabricated hundreds of stories, did anything possible to destroy our Nation, and now, look at Rudy. So sad!' He added that Giuliani had been 'right about everything.' Trump’s statement echoed the false narrative that Giuliani and other advisers promoted after the 2020 election, traveling across the country to accuse President Joe Biden of fraud. Those claims were rejected by dozens of courts and have been repeatedly debunked.

From 'America’s Mayor' to legal jeopardy

Giuliani earned the nickname 'America’s Mayor' for his leadership after the September 11, 2001, al-Qaida attacks on the World Trade Center. He was awarded an honorary knighthood by Queen Elizabeth II in 2002. Earlier in his career, he gained fame as a Mafia-busting prosecutor who used racketeering laws to dismantle organized crime families in New York. His second term as mayor ended in 2001, and he later made an unsuccessful run for the Republican presidential nomination. He became a key supporter of Trump’s 2016 campaign and later served as Trump’s personal lawyer, leading efforts to challenge the 2020 election results.

Legal troubles mount: defamation verdict, disbarment, and criminal charges

Giuliani’s post-election activities led to severe legal consequences. In 2023, a federal jury ordered him to pay $148 million to two Georgia election workers, Ruby Freeman and Shaye Moss, whom he had falsely accused of ballot fraud. The defamation case stemmed from baseless claims that the women had manipulated vote counts. He has since been disbarred in New York and Washington, D.C., and faces criminal charges in Arizona related to efforts to overturn the 2020 election. Trump issued Giuliani a sweeping pardon last November for charges arising from those efforts. Giuliani has denied wrongdoing in the criminal cases.

A dramatic fall from grace

Giuliani’s hospitalization marks another chapter in a stunning reversal of fortune for a figure once celebrated for his crisis leadership. In addition to his legal battles, he faced scrutiny from the Manhattan U.S. attorney’s office in 2019 over his activities in Ukraine, where he sought to dig up dirt on Joe Biden. His post-election court challenges were withdrawn or dismissed as groundless, and he became a polarizing figure even among Republicans. The $148 million defamation judgment, combined with mounting legal fees, has left him financially strained.

Uncertainty surrounds Giuliani’s health and future

As of Sunday evening, no further details on Giuliani’s condition or the nature of his illness have been released. His spokesman’s statement that he is 'fighting' suggests a serious health crisis, but the lack of information leaves many questions unanswered. The hospitalization comes at a time when Giuliani remains a central figure in ongoing investigations and litigation related to the 2020 election. His health may affect the pace of those legal proceedings, though no immediate changes have been announced.

A legacy defined by 9/11 and tarnished by election denial

Giuliani’s legacy is deeply divided. For many, he remains the resolute leader who guided New York through its darkest hour. For others, he is the architect of a campaign to subvert democracy, using false claims that culminated in the January 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol. His current health crisis has drawn expressions of support from allies and silence from critics. The coming days will reveal whether he can recover from this medical setback, even as his legal and political battles continue.

The bottom line

• Rudy Giuliani is hospitalized in critical but stable condition; the cause is undisclosed.
• President Trump publicly supported Giuliani while repeating false claims about the 2020 election.
• Giuliani’s legal troubles include a $148 million defamation judgment, disbarment, and criminal charges in Arizona.
• He was previously hospitalized after a car crash in New Hampshire in September 2024.
• Giuliani’s legacy is split between his 9/11 leadership and his role in attempting to overturn the 2020 election.
• The hospitalization raises questions about the future of his ongoing legal cases.