Former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani has withdrawn his request to appear virtually for an upcoming contempt hearing in New York after realizing it could prevent him from attending President-elect Donald Trump’s inauguration.
On Wednesday, Giuliani filed a motion asking U.S. District Judge Beryl A. Howell to allow him to appear via Zoom for a January 10 hearing, citing health reasons. The hearing is part of a $148 million defamation case brought by former election workers Ruby Freeman and Shaye Moss, in which Howell previously held Giuliani in contempt for failing to turn over certain assets.
Judge Howell indicated she would permit Giuliani to appear virtually if he submitted a sworn statement confirming he was medically unable to travel for the next 30 days. However, Giuliani reversed his request on Thursday after recognizing the ruling might bar him from attending Trump’s January 20 inauguration.
“It currently appears that I will be required to appear in person for trial in the New York matter identified above starting on January 16, 2025,” Giuliani wrote in a statement. “If it concludes before January 20th, I may travel to Washington, D.C., on the way home from Florida for the inauguration of President Trump, which will be a once-in-a-lifetime event in which I cannot participate by Zoom, and for which there will be heightened security.”
Giuliani expressed disappointment in the court’s lack of accommodation. “I had hoped the Court would understand and accommodate my needs. However, it appears I was mistaken,” he said. He cited additional challenges, including conflicts with his two evening broadcasting commitments and uncertainties around last-minute travel.
Faced with these complications, Giuliani opted to withdraw his motion to appear virtually, confirming he would attend the contempt hearing in person.
The defamation case stems from Giuliani’s role in spreading false claims about Freeman and Moss during the 2020 election, leading to widespread scrutiny of his actions. His decision to prioritize attending Trump’s inauguration underscores his continued loyalty to the president-elect amid ongoing legal battles.
With both the trial and the inauguration looming, Giuliani’s schedule reflects the intense intersection of personal, professional, and political pressures as he navigates his obligations.