Watch John Oliver Unpack Rudy Giuliani’s Problematic History and Hatred of Ferrets on Last Week Tonight

Former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani thrust himself back into the news cycle this week when he revealed that President Trump repaid the $130,000 hush payment made by his attorney, Michael Cohen, to porn star Stormy Daniels. The statement contradicted the position held by Trump and his White House officials, and called into question yet again the possible violation of campaign finance law by the Trump campaign. It also forced many within the media and the general population to wonder what happened to Giuliani himself, who was once viewed with austerity, thanks to his handling of post-9/11 NYC. What many don’t realize—and what John Oliver detailed in this week’s episode of Last Week Tonight—is that Giuliani was always problematic and squandered any goodwill he might have garnered.

During his time as a federal prosecutor and as Mayor of New York City, Giuliani exhibited an affinity for fame that clouded public views of his oppressive crackdown on crime. In between famously going undercover as the most well-dressed member of the Hell’s Angels, and appearances in films and television programs, Giuliani increased enforcement of “quality of life” crimes, such as jaywalking and panhandling, that unfairly targeted minorities to the point that members of his city’s police force felt conflicted while adhering to the policies. His weekly radio show, meant to engage with citizens of the city, felt more like a political talk show in which a headstrong Giuliani engaged in spats with residents over his policies on something as benign as ferret ownership. As political issues mounted alongside his personal issues, such as his previous marriage to his second cousin and the failure of his current marriage, 9/11 happened and his handling of its fallout earned him the moniker “America’s Mayor.”