Iran Press/America: Trump is facing the prospect of an impeachment trial over attempts by him and his associates – including Giuliani – to pressure the Ukrainian leadership into announcing an investigation into Joe Biden, a possible presidential contender in 2020.
“He shouldn’t joke, he is not a funny guy. I told him, ‘Ten thousand comedians are out of work, and you make a joke. It doesn’t work that way’,” Costello told Reuters.
Giuliani has said that he was being sarcastic when he made the comments. Trump, too, brushed them off, telling reporters in the Oval Office this week that “Rudy is a great guy”.
Following reports senior Republicans, in a bid to protect Trump, were considering blaming Giuliani for the White House outreach to Ukraine, The Guardian asked the former New York mayor if he was concerned about being “thrown under the bus”.
“I’m not, but I do have very, very good insurance, so if he does, all my hospital bills will be paid,” Giuliani replied.
The report said he spoke with a slight laugh in his voice. It also said Costello interjected into the interview by saying, “He’s joking”.
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Giuliani has emerged as a central figure in the Democratic-led impeachment inquiry against Trump, who is accused of abusing his office for personal political gain by pressing Ukraine to investigate Biden and his son, Hunter, a former board member of a Ukrainian energy company.
Trump said that he didn’t direct Juliani on Ukraine, but "he is a warrior... possibly saw something".
Current and former US officials have testified at the inquiry that Giuliani carried out a shadow foreign policy in Ukraine and that it became clear to them a White House meeting between Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky and Trump as well as a phone call between the two leaders was contingent on Ukraine carrying out Trump’s wishes.
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Trump, in an interview with former Fox News host Bill O’Reilly on Tuesday, sought to distance himself from Giuliani’s activities on Ukraine, saying he had not directed him to work on Ukraine matters.
“No, I didn’t direct him, but he is a warrior,” Trump told O’Reilly, adding Giuliani “possibly saw something” and “he’s done work in Ukraine for years”.
US ambassador to the European Union, Gordon Sondland, testified that Trump directed him, energy secretary Rick Perry, and former Ukraine special envoy Kurt Volker to work closely with Giuliani on Ukraine matters, a request that he viewed with alarm as Giuliani was a private citizen.205
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