By: Justin Winograd

Former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani has been hospitalized in New Hampshire after suffering a serious back injury in a late-night car accident, his spokesperson confirmed. The 81-year-old, who rose to national prominence as “America’s Mayor” in the aftermath of the 9/11 attacks, was struck from behind while travelling on a highway Saturday evening.

According to Michael Ragusa, Giuliani’s spokesperson and head of security, the collision left the former mayor with a fractured thoracic vertebrae, along with lacerations, contusions, and injuries to his left arm and lower leg. The Independent of the UK reported that Giuliani was swiftly transported to a nearby trauma center, where he is undergoing treatment and further testing.

In an unusual twist, Giuliani’s team revealed that just prior to the accident, the 81-year-old had intervened in a domestic violence incident. Ragusa told The Independent of the UK that Giuliani was “flagged down by a woman who was the victim of a domestic violence incident” and immediately stepped in to assist.

“Mayor Giuliani immediately rendered assistance and contacted 911,” Ragusa said in a statement cited by The Independent of the UK. “He remained on scene until responding officers arrived to ensure her safety.”

Shortly afterwards, while his vehicle was travelling on the highway, it was struck at high speed from behind. Investigators have not yet released details of the other vehicle involved, nor whether charges may follow. The Independent of the UK noted that the New Hampshire Highway Patrol has been contacted for further information.

Doctors at the trauma center determined Giuliani had sustained a fracture to his thoracic vertebrae, an injury that often requires long-term recovery and may necessitate the use of a brace. According to The Independent, Giuliani will remain hospitalized in the Manchester area for several more days while he undergoes additional tests.

Ragusa said that Giuliani’s “business partner and medical provider” had joined him at the hospital to oversee his care. Despite the severity of the injuries, he added that the former mayor is “in good spirits and recovering tremendously,” a sentiment echoed in a message on social media.

The New York Post reported that once discharged, Giuliani is expected to wear a supportive brace during recovery.

The accident prompted immediate reactions from Giuliani’s family and political allies. His son Andrew Giuliani, who currently serves as head of the White House’s FIFA World Cup 2026 Task Force, issued a public plea for prayers. “Please keep my father in your thoughts and prayers,” he said, as quoted in The Independent.

Prominent Republican figures also posted well-wishes on social media. Conservative activist Laura Loomer urged her followers to “pray for his recovery,” while podcaster Benny Johnson called Giuliani “America’s Mayor” and echoed the appeal for prayers.

Giuliani’s hospitalization comes at a particularly fraught moment in his public life. Widely revered for his leadership as New York’s mayor from 1994 until 2001, he has since endured a turbulent political and legal trajectory.

As The Independent of the UK report indicated, Giuliani served as Donald Trump’s personal lawyer during the 45th president’s first term and became one of the most outspoken promoters of false claims that the 2020 presidential election was stolen.

In January, Giuliani settled with two Georgia election workers who successfully sued him for defamation after he falsely accused them of manipulating ballots. A jury had awarded the pair $148 million in damages before the settlement, The Independent recalled.

Although Giuliani’s spokesperson insisted that he is recovering well, the severity of the injuries — particularly for an 81-year-old — raises questions about his long-term health and mobility. A fractured thoracic vertebra can take months to heal and often results in lingering pain or restricted movement.

Still, those close to Giuliani emphasized his resilience. “Mayor Giuliani has faced difficult battles before, and he has always come through,” Ragusa told The Independent. “This will be no different.”

The accident carries a symbolic resonance for a man who once commanded near-universal respect, but whose later years have been dominated by controversy and scandal. The Independent noted that Giuliani’s dual roles — first as the leader who comforted a grieving city after 9/11, and later as a combative defender of Trump — make him one of the most complex figures in recent American political history.

In that light, his decision to intervene in a domestic violence case only minutes before his own injury underscores the contradictions of his public image: a man both deeply committed to law and order, yet also mired in legal battles of his own making.

The New Hampshire Highway Patrol continues to investigate the collision. As of Sunday evening, no arrests had been reported and no formal statement had been issued regarding the cause of the crash. Questions remain about whether speed, impairment, or mechanical failure played a role.

The Independent reported that law enforcement officials are expected to release further details in the coming days, including whether Giuliani was travelling alone at the time of the crash or accompanied by security staff.

The incident has drawn widespread media coverage both in the United States and abroad. British outlets such as The Independent of the UK have devoted significant attention not only to the medical updates but also to the political reverberations. Coverage has contrasted Giuliani’s current circumstances with his once-towering stature as a national hero, noting the irony of a man nicknamed “America’s Mayor” finding himself now embattled in both body and reputation.

Even as sympathies pour in, the accident has reignited debates about Giuliani’s legacy. Critics highlight his role in promoting disinformation about the 2020 election and his mounting legal troubles, while supporters emphasize his past contributions to New York City and his recent intervention on behalf of a domestic violence victim.

As The Independent of the UK report pointed out, Giuliani remains a lightning rod in American politics, simultaneously respected and reviled. The unfolding narrative of his recovery will no doubt feed into that larger conversation about his enduring impact on the nation.

For now, Rudy Giuliani remains in a New Hampshire hospital bed, recovering from a fractured vertebra and the bruises of a violent car crash. His age and medical condition make the road to recovery uncertain, but his team insists he is “in good spirits” and determined to heal.

The Independent of the UK concluded its coverage with a reminder that Giuliani’s story has long been one of resilience amid adversity. Whether as the mayor who rallied New York after its darkest day, the lawyer at the center of Trump’s most divisive battles, or now as a patient recovering from a violent collision, Giuliani’s trajectory continues to fascinate the public.