On September 1, 2025, former New York City mayor Rudy Giuliani was thrust back into the national spotlight as former President Donald Trump announced that Giuliani would receive the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the nation’s highest civilian honor. The announcement, made on Trump’s Truth Social platform, came just two days after Giuliani, aged 81, was seriously injured in a car accident in New Hampshire—a sequence of events that has reignited debate over Giuliani’s legacy and current place in American public life.
"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. Thank you for your attention to this matter. MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!!!" Trump posted, as reported by multiple outlets including CNN, BBC, and Fox News.
The Presidential Medal of Freedom, established by President John F. Kennedy in 1963, 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 endeavors." Past recipients have included luminaries such as Muhammad Ali, Dr. Jane Goodall, Anna Wintour, Michael J. Fox, the Apollo 11 astronauts, and Denzel Washington.
Giuliani’s spokesperson, Ted Goodman, responded with effusive praise: "There is no American more deserving of this honor. 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."
But the moment of celebration was clouded by Giuliani’s recent accident. On the evening of August 30, 2025, Giuliani was a passenger in a vehicle on a New Hampshire highway when it was struck from behind at high speed. According to his head of security, Michael Ragusa, Giuliani sustained a fractured thoracic vertebrae, multiple lacerations, contusions, and injuries to his left arm and lower leg. He was hospitalized but was said to be "in great spirits" and "fully alert and conscious." Ragusa noted, "Mayor Giuliani’s condition continues to improve, and he is expected to be discharged from the hospital within the next few days. This is a man who survived 9/11—so a little car accident won’t be slowing him down. He is eager to return to business and continue fighting for this country, as he has proudly done for the past 50 years."
The circumstances leading up to the crash were notable in themselves. As reported by NBC News and Fox News, Giuliani had pulled over after being flagged down by a woman fleeing a domestic violence incident. He rendered assistance and contacted 911, remaining on the scene until police arrived. Afterward, as he continued on his way, his rental car was struck from behind. The New Hampshire State Police clarified that the driver who hit Giuliani’s vehicle had no connection to the domestic violence incident, and no charges had been filed as of September 1, 2025. Ted Goodman, Giuliani’s staffer and the driver of the vehicle, also sustained non-life-threatening injuries.
Giuliani’s storied career has been marked by both towering achievements and deep controversies. Rising to fame as a federal prosecutor in the 1980s and then as mayor of New York City from 1994 to 2001, Giuliani was credited with helping revitalize the city and was lauded for his calm and steadfast leadership following the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks. For his efforts, he was dubbed "America’s Mayor," named Time magazine’s Person of the Year in 2001, and received an honorary knighthood from Queen Elizabeth II.
After an unsuccessful run for the U.S. presidency in 2008, Giuliani became a close adviser to Donald Trump, officially joining his legal team in 2018. He represented Trump during the Mueller investigation and, later, led legal challenges to the 2020 presidential election results. It was in this latter role that Giuliani’s reputation took a sharp turn. He became a central figure in spreading false claims of widespread election fraud—a campaign that led to significant legal and financial repercussions.
Most notably, Giuliani was found liable for defamation and ordered to pay $148 million to two Georgia election workers, Ruby Freeman and Shaye Moss, after making false allegations about their conduct during the 2020 election. The judgment forced Giuliani to file for bankruptcy and resulted in the loss of his legal credentials in both New York and Washington, D.C. He was also named in legal proceedings in Georgia and Arizona and identified as an unindicted co-conspirator in federal special counsel Jack Smith’s election interference case against Trump, though Giuliani has denied all allegations.
Despite these legal woes, Giuliani retained Trump’s support. In June 2025, Trump appointed Giuliani to an advisory council inside the Department of Homeland Security and placed Giuliani’s son, Andrew, in charge of the White House Task Force for the FIFA World Cup 2026, according to CNN. Giuliani’s defenders, including Goodman, have emphasized his decades of public service and his resilience in the face of adversity.
The decision to award Giuliani the Presidential Medal of Freedom has sparked heated reactions across the political spectrum. Supporters, echoing Trump’s praise, view Giuliani as a patriot who has given much to the country, particularly in its darkest hours. Critics, however, point to his recent legal troubles and role in undermining trust in U.S. elections as reasons for skepticism, if not outright opposition, to the honor.
The precise timing and location for Giuliani’s award ceremony remain unclear, and as of September 2, 2025, Giuliani has not made a public statement regarding the honor. The White House has indicated that further details will be forthcoming.
As the nation awaits the formal presentation of the medal, Giuliani’s story continues to be one of sharp contrasts: a leader celebrated for his courage and resolve during 9/11, now navigating the aftermath of a high-profile car accident and a cascade of legal and financial challenges. Whether the medal will be seen as a fitting tribute or a source of controversy, it ensures that Rudy Giuliani’s legacy will remain a subject of national conversation for some time to come.
