WASHINGTON– Former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani endorsed Republican front-runner Donald Trump Tuesday, the day of the New York primary.
“I’ll endorse, but I’m not a part of the campaign,” Giuliani told CNN’s Chris Cuomo on “New Day.”
When pressed by Cuomo to clarify what he meant, Giuliani repeated that he would endorse Trump, but not have a role on the campaign.
“I’m Rudy Giuliani, I mean a lot in New York politics, I endorse Donald Trump, but I’m not a part of the campaign,” the former mayor said. “I’m not a part of the campaign apparatus and I don’t want people to think I am.”
Giuliani has dodged formally endorsing the New York real estate tycoon in the past. When pressed by Fox News Monday night why he would not endorse the Trump, Giuliani said that an endorsement implies having a campaign role.
“The New York Post endorsed Donald Trump. I don’t think anybody thinks The New York Post is part of the campaign.”
Last week, Giuliani said he was voting for Trump, but had declined to formally endorse him.
“I’m voting for him, I’ll do whatever they would like me to do, but I’m not part of the campaign apparatus, I don’t speak for the campaign,” Giuliani had told Cuomo on “New Day.” “When I endorse somebody, I join their campaign. I join their campaign staff. Their campaign staff sends me out to do speeches, to do things like that. Donald’s a very, very good friend, I believe he’d be the best candidate. I think he’d be the person I would like to see win.”
Asked if he had concerns about the campaign, he said “sure.” Giuliani had said he agreed with Trump on “eight out of 10 positions, and that’s probably good enough for me. That’s what I agreed with Ronald Reagan on, and he was my hero. But I have a couple of concerns on immigration. There are things I’d have to talk out first as far as an endorsement.”
