Former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani has been taken off a ventilator and is now breathing independently while recovering from pneumonia at a Florida medical facility, according to his representative.
The 81-year-old political figure continues to receive treatment in critical but stable condition at the hospital near Palm Beach, with medical staff keeping close watch as a safety precaution, spokesman Ted Goodman announced Monday.
According to Goodman, Giuliani’s respiratory problems were worsened by restricted airway disease linked to his contact with debris and harmful substances during the September 11, 2001, World Trade Center attacks.
The former mayor’s admission to the hospital followed his Friday evening online program, where viewers could hear him coughing and speaking in a raspy voice as he told his audience his voice was “a little under the weather.”
“This condition adds complications to any respiratory illness, and the virus quickly overwhelmed his body, requiring mechanical ventilation to maintain adequate oxygen and stabilize his condition,” Goodman stated.
The spokesperson characterized Giuliani as “the ultimate fighter” and declared, “he is winning this battle.”
Goodman noted that Giuliani’s relatives and main doctor are staying close to the former mayor. He mentioned their gratitude for the “outpouring of love and support” from those sending well-wishes.
“The mayor believes in the power of prayer, and we are feeling that strength today,” Goodman stated.
During his eight years leading America’s largest city, Giuliani’s time in office was marked by the 9/11 terrorist attack occurring just months before his term ended. His response to the crisis earned him recognition as “America’s mayor,” a knighthood from Queen Elizabeth II, and Time magazine’s Person of the Year honor.
The Republican politician later launched an unsuccessful presidential campaign and served as an advisor to President Donald Trump, leading efforts to challenge the results of the 2020 election.
Trump announced last year that he would present Giuliani with the Presidential Medal of Freedom.
During Friday’s broadcast of his nightly program “America’s Mayor Live,” Giuliani began coughing and spoke with an unusually hoarse voice. Before discussing Iran-related topics, he noted: “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.”
Writing on his Truth Social account, Trump described Giuliani as “a True Warrior, and the Best Mayor in the History of New York City, BY FAR.”
“What a tragedy that he was treated so badly by the Radical Left Lunatics, Democrats ALL — AND HE WAS RIGHT ABOUT EVERYTHING!” Trump posted Sunday. “They cheated on the Elections, fabricated hundreds of stories, did anything possible to destroy our Nation, and now, look at Rudy. So sad!”
While serving as Trump’s personal lawyer and advisor, Giuliani actively promoted the president’s claims of election fraud in 2020, which Democrat Joe Biden won. Trump and his supporters lost numerous court cases alleging fraud, and multiple recounts, examinations and audits of election results revealed no evidence of substantial misconduct or mistakes.
Two former Georgia election officials subsequently secured a $148 million defamation award against Giuliani. During efforts to collect the judgment, the former federal prosecutor was held in contempt and faced a winter trial regarding ownership of his assets.
Giuliani eventually reached an agreement allowing him to retain his residences and various possessions, including treasured World Series rings, in return for undisclosed payment and a commitment to cease making negative statements about the former election workers.
Last September, Giuliani required hospitalization after sustaining a broken vertebra and additional injuries in a New Hampshire vehicle accident.
Born in New York, Giuliani won the mayoral election in 1993 following his career as one of the country’s most prominent federal prosecutors, pursuing organized crime figures and corrupt Wall Street professionals.
He sought a U.S. Senate seat in 2000 but ended his campaign against Hillary Rodham Clinton following a prostate cancer diagnosis.
Giuliani pursued the presidency in 2007, initially leading among Republican candidates due to his post-9/11 fame. However, his campaign faltered quickly as he exited the race after poor primary performances, facing GOP opposition to his previous positions on abortion rights, gay rights and gun control, along with questions about his personal affairs and Middle Eastern business connections.
He considered running for additional offices before shifting to political analysis.
In 2016, Trump utilized Giuliani’s political expertise and dedication, deploying him as a spokesperson to lead attacks against Clinton, his Democratic opponent. Following Trump’s victory, Giuliani remained his defender, even journeying to Ukraine to gather damaging material about Biden’s son Hunter.
