The $148 million defamation verdict against Rudy Giuliani is more than a judgment in favor of Shaye Moss and Ruby Freeman. This is a message to Trump and the Republican Party that their lies and attacks have consequences.
A jury of eight Washington, D.C., residents decided that Giuliani must pay $148 million to election officials Ruby Freeman and her daughter, Wandrea “Shaye” Moss. Their lawyers had asked the jurors to each award $24 million in damages. Giuliani had already been found responsible for several defamation claims against them.
The jury said Friday that the former mayor must pay $16.2 million to Freeman and $17 million to Freeman, as well as $20 million each for emotional distress and an additional $75 million in punitive damages. .
Moss and Freeman are unlikely to see much, if any, money from the broke Guilani, but the message sent by the jury goes beyond money.
Under Trump’s leadership, many Republicans adopted the attitude that they could do or say whatever they wanted without any consequences. Defamation lawsuits, whether from election workers or voting machine companies, show Republicans that no matter what Donald Asset told them, they will be punished and they will pay the price for their outright lies and destruction of people’s lives.
Speaking to the media after the verdict, Ruby Freeman said more prosecutions were to come:
Ruby Freeman said after a jury awarded her and her daughter Shaye Moss nearly $150 million: “Today is a good day. A jury witnessed what Rudy Giuliani did to me and my daughter and how I responded. I am grateful.” pic.twitter.com/N5inwJbGtF
– Sarah Reese Jones (@PoliticusSarah) December 15, 2023
If Trump and the Republicans are considering following the same pattern they tried to use in 2020, they should think again. The costs and consequences are high and Trump supporters cannot do and say whatever they want.
A special message from PoliticusUSA
If you are able to donate just to help us keep the doors of PoliticusUSA open during a critical election year, please do so here.
We have been honored to be able to put your interests first for 14 years because we answer only to our readers and we will not compromise on this core and core value of PoliticusUSA.
Jason is the editor-in-chief. He is also a member of the White House press pool and a congressional correspondent for PoliticusUSA. Jason holds a bachelor’s degree in political science. His graduate studies focused on public policy, with a specialization in social reform movements.
Pricing and Professional Memberships
Member of the Society of Professional Journalists and the American Political Science Association
