Rudy Giuliani Rudy GiulianiThe Hill's Campaign Report: GOP set to ask SCOTUS to limit mail-in voting CIA found Putin 'probably directing' campaign against Biden: report Democrats fear Russia interference could spoil bid to retake Senate MORE called President Trump Donald John TrumpFederal prosecutor speaks out, says Barr 'has brought shame' on Justice Dept. Former Pence aide: White House staffers discussed Trump refusing to leave office Progressive group buys domain name of Trump's No. 1 Supreme Court pick MORE this week to say he had been joking when he said he had an “insurance policy” in case the president turned on him, Giuliani’s attorney told Reuters on Wednesday.

Robert Costello told the news service that he insisted his client make the call after Giuliani said in a televised interview that he had an “insurance policy, if thrown under the bus.”

Giuliani has claimed the comments were sarcastic but also implied he was referring to possessing incriminating information on former Vice President Joe Biden Joe BidenFormer Pence aide: White House staffers discussed Trump refusing to leave office Progressive group buys domain name of Trump's No. 1 Supreme Court pick Bloomberg rolls out M ad buy to boost Biden in Florida MORE rather than Trump.

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"He shouldn’t joke, he is not a funny guy," Costello told Reuters. "I told him, 'Ten thousand comedians are out of work, and you make a joke. It doesn’t work that way.'"

The claim comes as Trump, while maintaining that Giuliani is “a great guy,” has denied that his personal attorney’s dealings in Ukraine, which have been thrust into the spotlight amid the House impeachment inquiry, were at Trump’s behest.

That contradicts Ambassador to the European Union Gordon Sondland Gordon SondlandGOP chairman vows to protect whistleblowers following Vindman retirement over 'bullying' Top Democrat slams Trump's new EU envoy: Not 'a political donor's part-time job' Trump names new EU envoy, filling post left vacant by impeachment witness Sondland MORE, who testified before the House Intelligence Committee that Trump directed him, former envoy to Ukraine Kurt Volker Kurt VolkerGOP senators request details on Hunter Biden's travel for probe Yovanovitch retires from State Department: reports Live coverage: Senators enter second day of questions in impeachment trial MORE and Energy Secretary Rick Perry Rick PerryEnergy secretary questions consensus that humans cause climate change OVERNIGHT ENERGY: Democrats push resolution to battle climate change, sluggish economy and racial injustice | Senators reach compromise on greenhouse gas amendment stalling energy bill | Trump courts Florida voters with offshore drilling moratorium OVERNIGHT ENERGY: Trump signs major conservation bill into law | Senate votes to confirm Energy's No. 2 official | Trump Jr. expresses opposition to Pebble Mine project MORE to work with Giuliani on matters related to Ukraine.

Costello said that Trump and Giuliani’s relationship has not changed in recent weeks, telling Reuters that “they speak all the time.”