Former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani is showing signs of improvement after a frightening bout with pneumonia that left him in critical condition over the weekend.
His son, Andrew Giuliani, said Tuesday that the 81-year-old has regained consciousness and is no longer on a ventilator.
“Good news update: Thank you for the love and support you’ve shown my Dad over the past few days,” the younger Giuliani said.
“Just yesterday he was in critical condition, so I’m incredibly grateful to share that he is now conscious, off the ventilator, and even cracking jokes.”
Giuliani was hospitalized after developing pneumonia, which sources said was likely tied to long-term respiratory issues stemming from his exposure to toxic dust in the aftermath of the September 11 attacks. During that time, he spent days at Ground Zero coordinating emergency response efforts as the city reeled from the attacks.
Friends say the former mayor briefly fell into a coma before emerging Monday, marking a major turning point in his recovery.
Longtime ally Tom Von Essen, who served as New York City’s fire commissioner during 9/11, said Giuliani’s condition appears to be stabilizing.
“It looks like Rudy has turned a corner. We hope he continues to improve,” said Von Essen, who has been briefed on his condition.
“I worry about him. What he has done for New York City and the compassion he showed 9/11 families is remarkable. I hope he has a great recovery.”
Giuliani rose to national prominence during the 9/11 crisis, earning the nickname “America’s mayor” for his steady public presence as New Yorkers searched for loved ones and the nation watched in shock. His leadership during those days became a defining chapter of his career.
In the years since, Giuliani has remained a high-profile figure in Republican politics and a close ally of President Donald Trump, frequently appearing on cable news and on the campaign trail. Despite a series of legal and political battles in recent years, he has continued to maintain a loyal base of supporters.
Those close to the former mayor say his resilience is now on display again as he fights through the latest health scare, with early signs pointing to a recovery that, just days ago, looked far from certain.
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