Washington, D.C. — President Donald Trump announced Monday that former New York City mayor Rudy Giuliani will be awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom, just days after Giuliani was seriously injured in a car accident in New Hampshire.

“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,” Trump wrote on Truth Social. He added that details of the ceremony will be released soon.

Accident and Recovery

Giuliani, 81, remains hospitalized following Saturday’s crash, when a car struck the back of his rented SUV on a New Hampshire highway. He sustained a fractured vertebrae, along with cuts and bruises to his left arm and lower leg. His spokesman Ted Goodman and the other driver were also hospitalized.

According to Giuliani’s head of security, Michael Ragusa, the former mayor was helping a domestic violence victim on the roadside when the collision occurred. Despite his injuries, Giuliani is said to be “in good spirits and recovering tremendously.”

A Longtime Ally of Trump

Giuliani has been a close friend and political ally of Trump for decades, serving as an adviser during the 2016 presidential campaign and later as Trump’s personal lawyer. Their partnership followed Giuliani’s prominent tenure as New York’s mayor from 1994 to 2001.

Known as “America’s Mayor” for his leadership during the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, Giuliani became a national figure as the face of New York City’s resilience and recovery. His post-9/11 role earned him widespread praise and numerous awards.

In recent years, however, Giuliani has faced mounting legal challenges, including criminal charges in Georgia and Arizona, disbarment, and a $148 million defamation judgment related to efforts to overturn the 2020 election.

America’s Highest Civilian Honor

The Presidential Medal of Freedom is awarded to individuals who have made outstanding contributions to the United States in fields such as national security, peace, culture, or public service.

During his first term, Trump presented the honor to 24 recipients, including golfer Tiger Woods, conservative radio host Rush Limbaugh, and New York Yankees legend Mariano Rivera.

“There is no American more deserving of this honor,” Giuliani’s spokesman Ted Goodman wrote on X. “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.”