Michael Avenatti, the former lawyer for Stormy Daniels, claims that he is currently in contact with Donald Trump’s legal defense team and is open to testifying on behalf of the former president during his hush money trial.
Avenatti informed The New York Post from prison that the defense had reached out to him.
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“I would be delighted to provide testimony if called upon. Although I am unsure if I will be summoned, I have been in contact with Trump’s defense team for almost a year.”
Avenatti is presently incarcerated at Terminal Island, a minimum-security federal prison in Los Angeles, serving a 19-year sentence for a variety of federal crimes including extortion, tax evasion, fraud, and embezzlement.
He refrained from divulging any specifics regarding his discussions with the legal team representing Trump.
In 2018, Avenatti gained public attention when he represented Stephanie Clifford, also known as Stormy Daniels, during the scandal.
Stormy Daniels claimed to have had an affair with Mr. Trump in 2006. Despite the former president’s denial of the affair, a payment of $130,000 made to Daniels before the 2016 presidential election has become a focal point in his ongoing criminal trial in New York. Lurid details of the alleged affair have also come to light.
Once a fervent critic of Mr. Trump, and even authoring a New York Times op-ed in 2018 advocating for his indictment, Avenatti has now changed his tune and is supporting him in his legal troubles. He believes that there are similarities in their current predicaments.
“There is no doubt that the trial is driven by political motives, as they are worried about his potential reelection,” Avenatti said in an interview with the Post.
In expressing his opinion on the matter, he strongly believes that if the defendant were anyone other than Donald Trump, this case would not have been initiated at this particular moment. He sees the government’s attempt to pursue this case and secure a conviction as a deliberate effort to hinder millions of people from voting for Trump. He finds this action to be morally wrong and utterly appalling.
Avenatti expressed his concern over the targeting of Trump, stating that the four cases against him were excessive. He believed that there was a high possibility that these actions would ultimately backfire and actually help Trump secure the presidency.
“This has the potential to greatly fuel his campaign,” said one political analyst.
He remarked on the shared experience of being targeted by the justice system, drawing parallels between his own time in incarceration and the four indictments faced by the former president.
Avenatti used to frequently appear on MSNBC and was even considered by experts from various political backgrounds as a possible candidate for the presidency.
According to him, there were many individuals on the left who were deeply worried about his potential ascent in the Democratic Party and the world of Democratic politics. He emphasized that his refusal to conform and be easily influenced made them particularly apprehensive.
In November 2018, all discussions about his political future abruptly ended when he was arrested for domestic violence.
In 2020, he attempted to extort Nike for a potential $25 million, resulting in his conviction two years later. Additionally, in 2022, he was found guilty of embezzling $300,000 in book advance funds from Daniels. Simultaneously, he pleaded guilty to federal charges of fraud and tax evasion.
During the trial, Daniels provided damning testimony against him and remained highly critical in the aftermath.
Avenatti expressed his belief that if she were to testify at Mr. Trump’s hush money trial, his former client would likely commit perjury, according to the Post.
“According to Avenatti, Stormy Daniels will say whatever she believes will benefit herself and increase her financial gains. He asserts that if Stormy Daniels is speaking, she is likely fabricating stories for monetary purposes.”
In reference to her previous assertions of communicating with deceased individuals and owning a doll named Susan that was purportedly haunted, he expressed his disbelief. He found it absurd that someone who makes such claims could be considered a key witness in a case against a former president of the United States who is also running for president.
“He now describes her as a ‘serial liar’ and regrets ever crossing paths with Stormy Daniels. He believes he should have left her in the place where he first encountered her.”
Daniels is prepared to testify against Mr. Trump, according to her statement.
In a phone conversation with the Post, Daniels referred to Avenatti as a “lunatic” and a “scumbag”. However, she does not seem to regret their meeting.
“I was just about to mention that I also have a wish to never have crossed paths with him, but surprisingly, I’m actually relieved. I hold a certain sense of satisfaction because I played a crucial role in his conviction, preventing him from swindling countless other unsuspecting clients,” she stated.
Avenatti denies the suggestion that he is trying to flatter Mr. Trump in order to secure clemency for his lengthy prison sentence. He clarifies that he is not making these statements with the intention of seeking a pardon.
