NEW YORK — Rudy Giuliani, the former mayor of New York City, made his return to the airwaves on Wednesday evening. He resumed his regular slot on “The Rudy Giuliani Show” after a recent hospitalization due to viral pneumonia.
Now 81, Giuliani began his conservative talk show by reassuring listeners of his improving health, although he admitted he was not completely out of the woods. Earlier in May, he found himself in critical condition and required a ventilator while being treated at a hospital in Palm Beach, Florida.
News of his illness prompted an outpouring of support from politicians across the political spectrum, who extended their well-wishes during his recovery.
“I want to extend my heartfelt thanks to everyone who sent their prayers and good wishes,” Giuliani expressed. He specifically acknowledged the support from his family, the care provided by medical professionals, and a call from U.S. President Donald Trump during his illness.
“It feels good to be back,” Giuliani remarked before transitioning to a commercial break.
Last September, Giuliani faced another health setback when he was hospitalized following a car accident in New Hampshire, which resulted in a fractured vertebra and other injuries.
After Giuliani’s eight-year tenure as mayor, which was punctuated by the 9/11 attacks on the World Trade Center in 2001, the longtime Republican politician ran unsuccessfully for president in 2008 and eventually became a personal attorney and adviser to Trump.
Giuliani was a vocal proponent of the president’s allegations of fraud in the 2020 election, which was won by Democrat Joe Biden. Trump and his backers lost dozens of lawsuits claiming fraud, and numerous recounts, reviews and audits of the election results turned up no signs of significant wrongdoing or error.
Two former Georgia election workers later won a $148 million defamation judgment against Giuliani. As they sought to collect the judgment, the former federal prosecutor was found in contempt of court and faced a trial this winter over the ownership of some of his assets.
Giuliani ultimately struck a deal that let him keep his homes and various belongings, including prized World Series rings, in exchange for unspecified compensation and a promise to stop speaking ill of the ex-election workers.
Last year, Trump said he was awarding Giuliani the Presidential Medal of Freedom.
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