Rudolph W. Giuliani, the former New York City mayor and personal lawyer to former President Donald J. Trump, was suspended by WABC radio for attempting to discuss discredited claims about the 2020 presidential election on air. John Catsimatidis, the billionaire owner of the station, made the decision to cancel Giuliani’s talk show after he repeatedly violated station policy by trying to discuss election-related issues despite warnings not to do so. Catsimatidis stated that Giuliani left him with no choice but to suspend him, as he refused to comply with the policy. Giuliani’s removal from WABC, one of his main sources of income, could further add to his legal and financial troubles, as he is currently facing criminal charges in multiple states and lawsuits related to his efforts to overturn the 2020 election results.
Giuliani played a prominent role in Trump’s attempts to contest and overturn the 2020 election results, coordinating legal challenges to President Joe Biden’s victory in several states. The suspension from WABC not only denies him a significant public platform but also potentially impacts his financial situation, as he earned a percentage of advertising revenue from his show but did not receive a salary from the station. Giuliani’s legal issues, including criminal charges in Georgia and Arizona, as well as lawsuits from individuals he defamed after the election, have put him under increasing financial pressure. The decision to suspend him from WABC could exacerbate his existing legal and financial woes.
Catsimatidis stated that Giuliani had attempted to discuss election-related issues during the closing minutes of his Thursday show, despite station employees cutting him off. While Catsimatidis acknowledged that he personally likes Giuliani, he emphasized the importance of adhering to company policy and not crossing the line. The billionaire owner expressed the view that the truth about the 2020 election may never be fully known, but the station had made a policy that Giuliani violated, leading to his suspension. He emphasized that life goes on after this decision and implied that Giuliani’s departure from WABC was a necessary consequence of his actions.
The cancellation of Giuliani’s talk show on WABC removes one of his primary platforms for discussing political issues and promoting his views. With his legal troubles mounting and financial pressures increasing, losing the opportunity to reach a wide audience through his radio show could have significant implications for Giuliani’s public visibility and ability to engage in political discourse. While the former mayor could potentially seek out other avenues to communicate his views and generate income, the suspension from WABC represents a significant setback for Giuliani following his involvement in the controversial efforts to challenge the 2020 election results. The decision to remove him from the station underscores the importance of adhering to policies and guidelines in media outlets, even for high-profile figures like Giuliani.
