Angry Rudy Giuliani argues with judge overseeing defamation payout: 'I can't pay my bills'
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Rudy Giuliani's Court Outlash Draws Rebuke from Judge
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Above: Former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani leaves the New York Federal Courthouse on Nov. 7, 2024, in New York City. Image copyright: Alex Kent/Stringer/Getty Images News via Getty Images
The Facts
Former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani drew rebuke from US federal Judge Lewis Liman on Tuesday during a hearing regarding his Georgia election case. During the hearing, he interrupted to say how, following earlier rulings, he was unable to pay his bills.
Giuliani, 80, has been ordered to surrender a vintage Mercedes Benz convertible, 18 watches, a diamond ring, and the contents of several bank accounts to two Georgia election workers he was found to have defamed, after alleging they cheated the 2020 US election.
The Spin
Left narrative
After falsely accusing two women of election fraud to try and help Trump steal an election, Giuliani has immaturely chosen to lash out at the court instead of owning up to his actions. This is an embarrassing fall from grace for the former New York City Mayor — and one that will haunt his legacy from here on out.
Right narrative
The $148M defamation judgment is overkill by itself, but the biased NYC court system has also taken his legal license away. While his actions do warrant some kind of consequence, there is absolutely no need to treat a beloved lawyer and former mayor this way. If the courts truly wished to promote fairness and justice, they would show respect for both parties in this case.
