President Trump announced he will award Rudy Giuliani the Presidential Medal of Freedom after the former NYC mayor nearly died in a car crash while helping a domestic violence victim on a New Hampshire highway.
Story Overview
- Giuliani stopped to help a woman report domestic violence on I-93 in Manchester, NH, on August 30, 2025
- Minutes after assisting the victim and waiting for police, Giuliani’s vehicle was struck by another car
- The former mayor sustained a fractured spine and other serious injuries but survived the crash
- Trump immediately announced the Medal of Freedom award, praising Giuliani’s lifetime of public service
Heroic Actions Lead to Near-Fatal Accident
On Saturday evening, August 30, 2025, Rudy Giuliani and his driver Ted Goodman were flagged down by a distressed woman on Interstate 93 in Manchester, New Hampshire. The woman reported being a victim of domestic violence, prompting Giuliani to immediately call police and remain at the scene until New Hampshire State Troopers arrived. This act of civic duty, consistent with Giuliani’s decades-long commitment to public safety, would nearly cost him his life within minutes.
Devastating Collision Moments After Good Deed
After ensuring the domestic violence victim was safely in police custody, Giuliani and Goodman departed the scene and re-entered the highway. Moments later, their vehicle was struck by a Honda HR-V driven by 19-year-old Lauren Kemp of Concord, New Hampshire. The collision left Giuliani with a fractured spine and other significant injuries, while Goodman and Kemp sustained non-life-threatening injuries. All parties were hospitalized, with Giuliani facing the most serious medical complications from the crash.
Trump’s Swift Recognition of Service
President Trump wasted no time recognizing Giuliani’s heroic actions and lifetime achievements. On Monday, September 1, 2025, just as Giuliani was being released from the hospital, Trump announced via Truth Social that America’s Mayor would receive the Presidential Medal of Freedom. The President praised Giuliani’s extraordinary career, from his crime-fighting days as Mayor to his leadership during 9/11, emphasizing how Saturday’s incident exemplified his unwavering dedication to helping others in need.
Investigation Finds No Foul Play
New Hampshire State Police confirmed the crash was purely accidental, with no evidence of targeting or foul play. Investigators are reviewing officer body camera footage and examining whether driver distraction or curiosity about the earlier domestic violence incident may have contributed to the collision. Michael Ragusa, Giuliani’s head of security, emphasized that the crash was unrelated to the domestic violence incident and requested privacy during Giuliani’s recovery. No charges have been filed against any party involved in the accident.
Trump to award Mayor Giuliani the Medal of Freedom after his brush with death while helping woman https://t.co/VWNziDpVWg pic.twitter.com/ouXjxt88Ix
— TheBlaze (@theblaze) September 2, 2025
This recognition comes at a time when conservatives celebrate leaders who embody traditional American values of service before self. Giuliani’s willingness to stop and help a stranger in distress, despite his age and prominent status, demonstrates the kind of civic responsibility that built this nation. The Medal of Freedom award serves as a powerful reminder that true heroism isn’t about political calculations—it’s about doing what’s right when it matters most.
Sources:
Police release new details on Rudy Giuliani crash – Concord Monitor
