Former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani has been moved out of the intensive care unit after being hospitalized with pneumonia, his spokesperson confirmed on May 6, 2026.
Giuliani’s spokesperson, Ted Goodman, said the former mayor will remain in the hospital for a recovery period before discharge. The statement expressed gratitude for the public’s “outpouring of love and prayers.”
Complications from Preexisting Respiratory Condition
Earlier in the week, Giuliani was admitted in critical condition due to pneumonia. Goodman explained that Giuliani has restrictive airway disease, a chronic respiratory condition attributed to his exposure to dust and toxins at the collapsed World Trade Center site following the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks.
This underlying lung disease complicated his pneumonia diagnosis, rapidly worsening his respiratory function. Giuliani required mechanical ventilation to maintain adequate oxygen levels and stabilize his condition.
Giuliani’s Public and Legal Background
Rudolph Giuliani rose to prominence in the 1980s as Manhattan’s U.S. Attorney, prosecuting major Mafia figures. He served as New York City mayor from 1994 until 2001 and gained national recognition for his leadership during and after the 9/11 attacks, earning the nickname “America’s mayor.”
Giuliani later sought the Republican presidential nomination in 2008 and subsequently became a close ally and personal lawyer to former President Donald Trump. He was a prominent figure in challenging the 2020 presidential election results, promoting unfounded claims of voter fraud and giving a widely publicized speech on January 6, 2021, shortly before the Capitol riot.
As a consequence of his post-election actions, Giuliani was disbarred in New York and Washington, D.C., after courts determined he disseminated “demonstrably false and misleading statements.” He was also found liable for $148 million in a defamation lawsuit related to false claims about Georgia election workers and subsequently filed for bankruptcy.
In November 2025, Giuliani and others involved in the false elector scheme received pardons from Donald Trump. These pardons do not shield him from state-level charges, though a Georgia judge dismissed one case related to those matters late last year.
Why it matters
Giuliani’s respiratory health is significant given the long-term effects of his 9/11 exposure, a condition which complicates recovery from respiratory illnesses like pneumonia. His current hospitalization highlights ongoing health challenges faced by survivors of the World Trade Center disaster.
Additionally, Giuliani remains a controversial figure due to his role in the 2020 election disputes and related legal issues. His health status may affect any ongoing or future legal and political activities.
Sources
This article is based on reporting and publicly available information from the following source:
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