As Giuliani Battles For His Life, His Illness Is Complicated By Heroic Actions On 9/11

Former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani, a Republican, is battling pneumonia complicated by ash exposure from the 9/11 terrorist attacks that destroyed the World Trade Center.

Giuliani spokesman Ted Goodman, who announced on Sunday that “America’s Mayor” had been hospitalized and was in “critical but stable condition,” explained the situation in more detail in a statement posted Monday morning via X.

Mayor Rudy Giuliani is recovering from pneumonia. On September 11th, Mayor Giuliani ran toward the towers to help those in need, which later led to a diagnosis of restrictive airway disease.

This condition adds complications to any respiratory illness, and the virus quickly…

— Ted Goodman (@TedCGoodman) May 4, 2026

“Mayor Rudy Giuliani is recovering from pneumonia,” Goodman posted — and then explained how such a diagnosis could be far more dangerous to someone whose respiratory system was already compromised due to exposure to the dust and ash that blanketed New York in the aftermath of the 2001 Islamic terror attacks. Giuliani, who was mayor of New York City at the time, earned the nickname “America’s Mayor” as he shepherded the city through the weeks that followed the attacks.

“On September 11th, Mayor Giuliani ran toward the towers to help those in need, which later led to a diagnosis of restrictive airway disease,” he continued. “This condition adds complications to any respiratory illness, and the virus quickly overwhelmed his body, requiring mechanical ventilation to maintain adequate oxygen and stabilize his condition.”

The good news, Goodman added, was that Giuliani had stabilized somewhat and was able to breathe without medical intervention.

“He is now breathing on his own, with his family and primary medical provider at his side,” Goodman said. “Mayor Giuliani is the ultimate fighter — as he has demonstrated throughout his life — and he is winning this battle. His family deeply appreciates the outpouring of love and support. The mayor believes in the power of prayer, and we are feeling that strength today. He remains in critical but stable condition. Please keep the prayers coming.”

When the news broke on Sunday that Giuliani had been hospitalized, President Donald Trump was quick to send out a statement on behalf of his longtime friend and ally: “Our fabulous Rudy Giuliani, a True Warrior, and the Best Mayor in the History of New York City, BY FAR, has been hospitalized, and is in critical condition. What a tragedy that he was treated so badly by the Radical Left Lunatics, Democrats ALL — AND HE WAS RIGHT ABOUT EVERYTHING! They cheated on the Elections, fabricated hundreds of stories, did anything possible to destroy our Nation, and now, look at Rudy. So sad!”