President Trump announced Monday that he will award Rudy Giuliani the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the nation’s highest civilian honor.
“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, our Country’s highest civilian honor,” Mr. Trump said in a social media post. “Details as to time and place to follow. Thank you for your attention to this matter. MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!!!”
The announcement comes days after Giuliani was hospitalized with multiple broken bones following a car crash in New Hampshire. His spokesperson said Giuliani suffered “fractured thoracic vertebrae, multiple lacerations and contusions, as well as injuries to his left arm and lower leg” after the vehicle he was in was struck from behind at high speed.
“There is no American more deserving of this honor,” Giuliani spokesperson Ted Goodman said on social media. “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. Thank you, President Trump, for honoring his life and legacy.”
Giuliani, 81, built his reputation in the 1980s and ’90s in New York City as a prosecutor before being elected mayor. He was called “America’s mayor” for his leadership after the Sept. 11 attacks in 2001.
After serving two terms as mayor, he ran for president in 2008 but withdrew during the Republican primary after finishing third in Florida. Later, he became a close adviser to Mr. Trump in his first term and was a key promoter of conspiracy theories and false claims that the 2020 presidential election was stolen.
Giuliani was disbarred in New York and Washington, D.C., and declared bankruptcy after being held liable for $148 million for spreading false statements about Georgia election workers.
The Presidential Medal of Freedom is given to people who make major contributions to the prosperity, values, or security of the United States, world peace, or other important social, public, or private efforts.
The award was created by former President John F. Kennedy in 1963.
