In possibly one of the more unconventional legal stories of the week, it appears that Rudy Giuliani— the former mayor of New York City, and President Donald Trump’s preferred gratis legal representative—has decided to interrupt his cocktail hour and sue President Joe Biden, alleging defamation.
In a recent piece by The New York Times, the authors reveal how Giuliani’s drinking habits, a matter of concern for his friends for over a decade, appear to have become a more prominent issue during Trump presidency, with it becoming less easy to keep hidden. Whether indulging at sizable venues or smaller gatherings, his consistent and notable inebriation often surprised those in his company.[Nytimes.com]
While dealing with his personal struggles, Giuliani also faces tumult in his professional life. In Georgia, where he is embroiled in a RICO indictment over election interference in 2020, he recently lost the support of his local counsel, with his attorney and another practitioner filing motions to withdraw from his case.[x.com]
Beyond these setbacks, Giuliani is ensnared in numerous lawsuits. These include a damaging defamation case lodged by Atlanta poll workers and several suits against him for non-payment of services and unwanted sexual advances. He also finds himself being sued by Hunter Biden, which alleges that Giuliani illegally accessed his iCloud account.[1][2][3][4]
Going on the offensive in an unexpected turn of events, Giuliani has decided to sue President Biden. Initiated in New Hampshire state court, Giuliani alleges that the president defamed him by referring to him as a “Russian pawn” during a presidential debate in Nashville, TN in 2020.
This case raises complex jurisdictional questions, as the defamation allegedly occurred in Tennessee, not New Hampshire. Giuliani’s Complaint relies on a legal precedent, where the Supreme Court held in the 1980s that Hustler Magazine could be sued in New Hampshire because it sold its product there.[Justia.com]
The foundation of Giuliani’s allegation is that Biden defamed him by insinuating he was being exploited by Russian agent Andrii Derkach, as part of an influence operation against Biden himself during the 2020 elections. The Trump Treasury Department had previously sanctioned Derkach for interference activities, and he was later indicted for fraud and money laundering.[NPR][Justice.gov]
This saga is undoubtedly high stakes and complex, riddled with multiple lawsuits, allegations of election interference, conspiracies and unexpected legal moves. As we continue to watch this story unfold, one thing appears to be certain: us legal professionals might soon need to join Giuliani in needing a drink.