News that Rudy Giuliani would receive the nation’s highest civilian honor from President Donald Trump quickly drew mockery and criticism on Labor Day.
Giuliani was seriously injured in a car crash Saturday night near Manchester, New Hampshire. According to a statement from Michael Ragusa, Giuliani’s head of security, the crash happened after Giuliani “was flagged down by a woman who was the victim of a domestic violence incident.”
“Mayor Giuliani immediately rendered assistance and contacted 911. He remained on scene until responding officers arrived to ensure her safety,” the statement said. “Following this, while traveling on the highway, Mayor Giuliani’s vehicle was struck from behind at high speed. He was transported to a nearby trauma center, where he was diagnosed with a fractured thoracic vertebrae, multiple lacerations and contusions, as well as injuries to his left arm and lower leg.”
Ragusa told the New York Post the ex-mayor was in “great spirits.”
“He’s a beast. He survived 9/11,” he said.
On Monday, Trump said Giuliani — a strong MAGA supporter — would receive 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. Details as to time and place to follow,” said Trump.
The medal is given by the president to people who have made important contributions to national security, world peace, or significant cultural or public efforts.
Giuliani has faced serious legal problems. He was found liable for defaming two Georgia election workers, resulting in a $148 million judgment. Courts have also held him in contempt for continuing to attack the workers and failing to follow court orders.
He has faced disbarment and both civil and criminal accusations for his role in efforts to overturn the 2020 presidential election.
The announcement quickly drew reactions online.
Political commentator Brian Krassenstein wrote on X, “Note that Giuliani has been charged with felonies in two different states, including racketeering and has been found liable for over $100 million in damages. What a joke!”
George Conway, a conservative attorney who opposes Trump, mocked Giuliani on X by posting the address of Four Seasons Total Landscaping, where the Trump campaign once mistakenly held a press conference instead of the Four Seasons Hotel.
“Afterparty by invitation only at FOUR SEASONS TOTAL LANDSCAPING 7339 State Road Philadelphia, PA 19136,” Conway wrote.
Andrew Wortman, author of America Rises Substack, wrote on X, “Rudy Giuliani went from ‘America’s Mayor’ to Trump’s drunken coup-plotting treason-weasel. Giving him a Medal of Freedom is spitting in the face of democracy.”
Adam Cochran, a professor, wrote on X, “Ok what….?! The same day Rudy Giuliani gets hit with a car, in the weirdest news report ever… Trump’s team announces he is giving Giuliani the Presidential Medal of Freedom? If you wanted to start a conspiracy that someone tried to silence Rudy and is now paying him off, you could not have picked better timing…”
Social media commentator Russell Drew wrote on X, “Donald Trump is at it again—handing out the Presidential Medal of Freedom like party favors. First Rush Limbaugh, now Rudy Giuliani. He keeps giving America’s highest civilian honor to the worst people, as long as they stay loyal. It doesn’t honor them, it dishonors the nation.”
The account Republicans Against Trump highlighted Giuliani’s own words from last year, writing on X: “Rudy Giuliani: The reality is, I have no cash. Right now, if I want to call a taxi, I can’t do it. I don’t have a credit card; I don’t have a checking account. I have no place I can go take cash out, except a little bit that I saved but it’s getting down to almost nothing (2024).”
The account Call to Activism wrote on X, “Giuliani is a disbarred, disgraced, indicted ghoul who torched democracy for Trump’s ego. Sickening. As a reminder, he’s been disbarred in both NY and DC and lost an estimated $148 million in a defamation judgment for lying about election fraud. The washed-up, wine-soaked, hair-dye-dripping, election-denying, lawless political grifter deserves to have his legacy stripped to ashes. He deserves no award. Just to be forgotten.”
