Ruled out: former New York mayor Rudy Giuliani confirms he won’t serve in Donald Trump’s cabinet
Giuliani’s prospects to serve as secretary of state had already dimmed, in part because of questions about his overseas business ties
Former New York City mayor Rudy Giuliani formally withdrew from consideration for a post in US president-elect Donald Trump’s administration on Friday, putting an end to his ill-fated bid to lead the State Department. Trump is now seriously considering Exxon Mobil CEO Rex Tillerson for the post.
The deliberations have divided Trump’s senior advisers, with some bluntly warning in public that tapping Romney would anger the president-elect’s loyal supporters. Trump himself has sent mixed messages about Romney in recent days, according to people who have spoken with him, suggesting in some conversations that Romney isn’t getting the job and saying in others that he is still in contention.
My desire to be in the Cabinet was great, but not that great
The president-elect is said to be intrigued by the prospect of filling the diplomatic post with an international businessman. Tillerson has led Exxon since 2006, a period when record high oil prices and record corporate profits helped make it the most valuable public company in the world. He rose to prominence through the company’s Russian energy business and was awarded Russia’s Order of Friendship last year.
Giuliani, a loyal Trump supporter throughout the presidential race, quickly emerged as a top contender for secretary of state. But his financial ties, as well as his public campaigning for the job, are said to have given Trump pause.
The former mayor said he removed himself from consideration on November 29.
“The whole thing was becoming kind of very confusing and very difficult for the president-elect,” Giuliani said on Fox News. “My desire to be in the Cabinet was great, but not that great.”
After leaving the government, Giuliani advised foreign political figures and worked for lobbying and security firms whose clients have had complicated relationships with the US government. While not personally involved in lobbying, Giuliani spent years at firms that represented governments and multinational companies. He also made speeches demanding the State Department remove an Iranian opposition group from a US terror blacklist.