In a hearing on former New York City mayor Rudy Giuliani’s 2023 bankruptcy — and whether a third-party financial overseer would be necessary after he allegedly hid assets and blew past spending limits set by a Manhattan court — lawyers argued he was “possibly” suffering from lung cancer stemming from 9/11.
Per his attorneys in a Monday court filing, Giuliani “is suffering from possible 9/11 lung disease and his future earning capacity is limited both by his age and future health,” according to Newsweek.
Giuliani, who led the country’s largest city in the wake of the September 11th terrorist attacks, spent much of the subsequent weeks on site at Ground Zero coordinating rescue and clean-up efforts, a task that earned him the title of “America’s Mayor” and a 79% percent approval rating 6 weeks after the attack.
Giuliani’s reputation has taken a hit since, becoming closely tied to far-right movements and election conspiracy theories and falling into financial and legal trouble.
Beyond potential health complications, Giuliani’s earning capacity may be limited due to threats to his Bar standing in multiple municipalities due to his role in the Trump campaign’s attempts to overturn the 2020 Presidential election. The advisor to Donald Trump also faces a felony indictment in Arizona, served to him at his 80th birthday party last month.
9/11 first responders and those present in the wake of the attack are subject to significant health risks. Lung cancer, asthma, post-traumatic stress disorder, and other diseases are tied to ground zero exposure, with new research from Stony Brook University suggesting a link between 9/11 responders and higher incidence of dementia. The study focused on responders who, like Giuliani, were present at the rubble without personal protective equipment, and found a ninefold increase in dementia incidence.
