Former Mayor Rudy Giuliani vehemently denied allegations of being an alcoholic and criticized those who have made such claims.
Giuliani's drinking habits have come under scrutiny as federal prosecutors investigate his role in providing legal advice to former President Donald Trump during his efforts to overturn the 2020 election results.
Special counsel Jack Smith has reportedly questioned witnesses about Giuliani's drinking while advising Trump on challenging the election outcome. This scrutiny raises questions about the ex-president's defense that he relied on counsel's advice to support his claims of voter fraud.
In response to these allegations, Giuliani stated, "I'm not an alcoholic. I never have been - not even close." He dismissed claims made by former City Council President Andrew Stein, who suggested that Giuliani has a drinking problem. Giuliani called Stein a "big liar" and criticized his intelligence, asking, "What has Andrew Stein accomplished?"
Giuliani further defended himself by pointing to his accomplishments as mayor and a former federal prosecutor, stating, "I must be the most accomplished alcoholic ever given what I accomplished. I should be in the Guinness Book World of Records. It's a complete, absolute lie."
When asked why people in Trump's circle and New York political circles would make such claims, Giuliani attributed it to having "a lot of friends who became enemies." He refused to label himself as a social drinker, arguing that doing so would only lend credibility to the allegations.
The issue of Giuliani's alcohol consumption first gained attention during the 2020 election and resurfaced during the House select committee investigation into the January 6, 2021, Capitol riot. Trump campaign strategist Jason Miller testified that Giuliani was "definitely intoxicated" during the election night when he urged Trump to declare victory despite the race being too close to call. Giuliani, however, disputed this claim, stating that he was only drinking "Diet Coke" that night.
In addition to the scrutiny over his drinking habits, Giuliani has filed a lawsuit against President Joe Biden, accusing him of defamation during the final 2020 presidential debate. Giuliani claims that Biden referred to him as a "Russian pawn" during a discussion about The New York Post's reporting on Hunter Biden's foreign business interests. Giuliani is also facing legal challenges as one of the co-defendants, along with Trump, in a Georgia election fraud case.
Despite the ongoing investigations and legal battles, Giuliani remains steadfast in his denial of being an alcoholic. He continues to defend his reputation and accomplishments while criticizing those who question his sobriety.
As the federal probe into Giuliani's role in advising Trump progresses, the allegations surrounding his drinking habits may continue to be a point of contention in the legal proceedings.
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