Rudy Giuliani Ordered to Pay $148 Million to Defamed Election Workers

Former New York City Mayor and Donald Trump attorney Rudy Giuliani was ordered to pay $148 million to two election workers who sued him for defamation.

For Context: In the aftermath of the 2020 election, which former President Trump lost to President Joe Biden, Giuliani repeatedly accused two Georgia election workers, Ruby Freeman and her daughter Wandrea Shaye Moss, of engaging in “surreptitious illegal activity” to tilt the election results in Biden’s favor. These claims were refuted and debunked by Georgia election officials.

Details: During the trail, Freeman and Moss’ legal team detailed the death threats the two received as a result of Giuliani’s accusations. Giuliani’s lawyer did not argue that the claims made by Giuliani were true, but instead argued that Giuliani should not be held accountable for the actions of those who believed what he claimed. A lawyer for Freeman and Moss’ stated in his closing remarks that “Everyone who spread lies about Ms. Moss and Ms. Freeman should be held accountable.” Giuliani’s lawyer also warned that paying the originally requested sum would be the “civil equivalent of the death penalty” for Giuliani. While Giuliani’s attorney expressed sympathy for Freeman and Moss during his closing remarks, Giuliani stood by his accusations, telling reporters, “I don't regret a damn thing” and “everything I said about them is true.”

How the Media Covered It: Outlets across the spectrum covered the verdict prominently. The Washington Examiner’s (Lean Right bias) front page on Friday afternoon read, “Rudy ruined.”