Michael Avenatti, who was likely never going to run for president in 2020, announced today in a statement that he will not run for president in 2020.
Please see my statement below regarding 2020. pic.twitter.com/ztCfZUY6hA
— Michael Avenatti (@MichaelAvenatti) December 4, 2018
Avenatti rose to prominence as Stormy Daniels’ attorney, who in January of 2018 was revealed to have been paid to keep silent about an affair with President Donald Trump. With a knack for self-promotion, Avenatti soon became as much a household name as Daniels herself.
Avenatti teased the idea of a 2020 run as his fame grew, even releasing a policy platform on Twitter. But an increased profile caused new scrutiny. His unpaid taxes came to light, and last month he was arrested on a domestic violence charge.
Today, he said “out of respect for his family,” he would not run.
