Rudy Giuliani claims he's withholding text messages that will 'protect' him in the Ukraine scandal
Rudy Giuliani claims he's holding onto text messages that prove the State Department backed his activity in Ukraine and that he'll eventually use them to "protect" himself.
President Trump's personal lawyer spoke to CNN after a whistleblower complaint accused him of being a "central figure" in soliciting Ukraine's help in interfering in the 2020 election by investigating former Vice President Joe Biden. The complaint also alleges U.S. officials were "deeply concerned” by Giuliani's "circumvention of national security decisionmaking" in speaking to Ukrainian officials, and it says State Department officials had to speak to Giuliani to "contain the damage" he was doing to national security.
Giuliani denied this, telling CNN "at no time did the State Department in communication with me ever relay any of that information you're talking about." He also claimed he has a "nice little trail" of text messages with Kurt Volker, U.S. diplomat to Ukraine, to back up his account, as well as five or six texts that prove the State Department was signing off on what he was doing.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
"I'm going to use them to protect myself if and when I need them," Giuliani said of these supposed texts.
Giuliani shared one text with CNN showing Volker connecting him with an adviser to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. The State Department last month confirmed Volker did so, but said Giuliani is just a "private citizen and acts in a personal capacity."
Giuliani also referenced holding onto texts in an interview with The Atlantic, again claiming State Department officials asked for his help in Ukraine while saying, "Why did they send me a bunch of friendly text messages reaching out for my help, thanking me for my help?” This time, he told The Atlantic the texts would be released "in a longer story."
Create an account with the same email registered to your subscription to unlock access.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Brendan worked as a culture writer at The Week from 2018 to 2023, covering the entertainment industry, including film reviews, television recaps, awards season, the box office, major movie franchises and Hollywood gossip. He has written about film and television for outlets including Bloody Disgusting, Showbiz Cheat Sheet, Heavy and The Celebrity Cafe.
-
Are 'judge shopping' rules a blow to Republicans?
Today's Big Question How the abortion pill case got to the Supreme Court
By Joel Mathis, The Week US Published
-
Climate change is driving Indian women to choose sterilization
under the radar Faced with losing their jobs, they are making a life-altering decision
By Theara Coleman, The Week US Published
-
'A great culture will be lost if the EV brigade gets its way'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
By Harold Maass, The Week US Published
-
Israel proposes two-month pause in Gaza war in exchange for all Hamas hostages
Speed Read Deal doesn't include an agreement to end war, but might be 'the only path that could lead to a ceasefire', said US officials
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Nato official warns of all-out war with Russia in next 20 years
Speed Read Civilians must prepare for life-changing conflict and mass mobilisation, says military chief
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Rishi Sunak visits Kyiv to announce £2.5 billion in military support for Ukraine
Speed Read Surprise trip comes amid increased Russian bombardment and escalation of Middle East crisis
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
British warship repels 'largest Houthi attack to date' in the Red Sea
Speed read Western allies warn of military response to Iranian-backed Yemeni rebels if attacks on ships continue
By Richard Windsor, The Week UK Published
-
Israel preparing to flood Hamas tunnels with seawater
Speed Read IDF pumps could drive out terrorists but critics warn of danger to hostages and Gaza water supply
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Houthi rebels claim Red Sea ship attacks
speed read Iran-backed Yemeni group vows to escalate aggression towards Israel-linked vessels in revenge for Gaza war
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Israel plans next phase of Gaza war as first hostages released
Speed read After four-day ceasefire 'we will not stop' until destruction of Hamas, says Israel
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Mob storms Russian airport 'looking for Jews'
Speed Read Plane from Israel surrounded by rioters chanting antisemitic slogans after landing in Russia's Dagestan region
By The Week UK Published