Rudy Giuliani is an American lawyer and politician. From 1983 to 1989 he served as U.S. attorney for the Southern District of New York. He subsequently was mayor of New York City (1994–2001). His leadership was especially noted during the September 11, 2001, attacks. He drew high praise for his handling of the crisis and became known as “America’s mayor.”
In subsequent years Giuliani was involved in the political career of Donald Trump. He supported Trump’s successful 2016 presidential bid and later served as one of Trump’s personal lawyers. After the 2020 election—in which Joe Biden was declared the winner—Giuliani advanced unfounded claims of widespread voter fraud. His efforts to overturn the election results led to several lawsuits and various legal issues.
- In 2021 he was sued for defamation by Dominion Voting Systems, the manufacturer of voting machines that he claimed were rigged in Biden’s favor. A settlement in the case was reached in 2025.
- In 2023 he lost a defamation suit brought by two Georgia election workers he had accused of fraud. The two women received a $148 million judgment, which Giuliani claimed he was unable to pay. A settlement was reached in 2025.
- Also in 2023 he was indicted in Georgia for his efforts to influence the state’s 2020 election results. Two years later the charges were dropped after a newly elected prosecutor declined to pursue the matter.
- In 2024 he was disbarred in New York state and the District of Columbia.