Remember when Rudy Giuliani, Trump’s right-hand man, was busy making wild accusations during the aftermath of the 2020 presidential elections? Well, karma seems to have its radar squarely aimed at him.
On Wednesday, in a twist many saw coming, a federal judge dropped the gavel, essentially ruling that Giuliani is out of defenses against a defamation lawsuit. This legal tornado was stirred up by two Georgia election workers, Ruby Freeman and her daughter Shaye Moss. These two were on the receiving end of Giuliani’s factually challenged claims, which he insisted were revelations of fraud from the 2020 showdown between Trump and Biden.
To paint a clearer picture: Giuliani went as far as comparing Freeman and Moss to, wait for it, drug dealers. Yep, in an eyebrow-raising move, he alluded that the duo handled USB sticks like they were “vials of cocaine.” The wild thing is, he made these audacious claims in a hearing with Georgia lawmakers, sans any shred of evidence. It’s like saying the sky is neon green without ever looking up!
Unsurprisingly, these wild and reckless statements by Giuliani (and later parroted by Trump) unleashed a barrage of harassment towards Freeman and Moss. The duo wasn’t just facing your everyday trolls but actual death threats, many tainted with racist overtones.
Cut to this week, and District Judge Beryl Howell wasn’t having any of Giuliani’s antics. The judge highlighted Giuliani’s neglect to maintain essential records and his nonchalance toward subpoenas in the case. Howell’s verdict? Giuliani had, and I quote, given “only lip service to compliance with his discovery obligations.”
Howell also threw some epic shade, suggesting that while Giuliani’s theatrics of playing the victim might win over some die-hard supporters, it won’t fly in a court of law.
But wait, there’s more. Now, with the default judgment against Giuliani, the countdown has started for a trial that will decide just how much Giuliani owes Freeman and Moss. And given the ex-mayor’s current financial straits (he was recently spotted cap in hand at Trump’s Mar-a-Lago pad asking for financial help), it’s going to be quite a spectacle.
Speaking of Trump, the former president vaguely promised to financially assist Giuliani. But as with many things Trump, the specifics remain elusive.
So, what’s the lesson here, folks? Playing fast and loose with the truth, especially when it affects innocent lives, is not just morally wrong but can also leave your wallet feeling a lot lighter.
