Rudy Giuliani out of ICU after hospitalization for pneumonia, spokesperson says 'prayer is working'

NEW YORK CITY, NEW YORK: Former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani has been moved out of the intensive care unit after being hospitalized with pneumonia earlier this week, according to his spokesperson.

Giuliani, 81, remains hospitalized and is expected to continue recovering under medical supervision for the foreseeable future. His spokesperson said the former mayor and his family appreciated the support and prayers sent following news of his condition.

The update came days after Giuliani was admitted to the hospital in critical but stable condition as complications from a respiratory illness reportedly worsened rapidly.

Rudy Giuliani out of ICU

Spokesperson Ted Goodman confirmed on May 6 that Rudy Giuliani was no longer being treated in intensive care but would stay in the hospital “for some time” as doctors monitored his recovery.

“The mayor and his family appreciate the outpouring of love and prayers sent his way,” Goodman said in a statement.

"The power of prayer is working. The mayor feels it. We feel it," Goodman further wrote. "Please keep them coming for America's Mayor, Rudy Giuliani."

Earlier in the week, Goodman said Giuliani’s preexisting restrictive airway disease complicated his condition after he developed pneumonia. According to the spokesperson, the illness is linked to Giuliani’s exposure during the September 11 attacks while serving as mayor of New York City.

“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,” Goodman previously stated.

Giuliani rose to national prominence after overseeing New York City’s response to the September 11 attacks in 2001, earning the nickname “America’s Mayor.”

Health concerns before admission

Before his hospitalization, Giuliani had hinted at health concerns during recent appearances on his online programs.

During a May 2 episode of ‘America’s Mayor Live,’ Giuliani told viewers, “My voice is a little under the weather, so I won’t be able to speak as loudly as I usually do.”

He was also seen coughing several times during the livestream.

Giuliani additionally missed several April episodes of ‘The Rudy Giuliani Show’ before returning for a recent broadcast last week.

The former mayor was previously hospitalized in 2020 after contracting Covid during the height of the pandemic.

Legal and political controversies

Giuliani has remained a longtime ally of President Donald Trump and previously served as his personal attorney.

In recent years, Giuliani has faced mounting legal and financial troubles tied to efforts challenging the results of the 2020 presidential election.

He pleaded not guilty to election-related charges in Arizona, while a separate case in Georgia involving Giuliani and other Trump allies was dropped in 2025.

Giuliani was also disbarred in both New York and Washington, DC, over findings related to false election claims made after the 2020 vote. Despite those controversies, Trump has continued publicly supporting Giuliani in recent years.