In a statement on Tuesday, Avennatti said that he decided to bow out from what is expected to become a tightly-contested Democratic primary \u201cafter consultation with my family and at their request.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n The attorney once argued that only a \u201ctake no prisoners street fighter,\u201d<\/em> apparently himself, can take down Trump \u201cin a cage match like no other in modern times.\u201d<\/em> Avenatti repeatedly spoke very highly of his chances, telling Newsweek in July that he would \u201cabsolutely\u201d<\/em> beat Trump. Judging by his Twitter feed, nothing much has changed since, he is just choosing not to.<\/p>\n \u201cI do not make this decision lightly \u2013 I make it out of respect for my family. But for their concerns, I would run,\u201d<\/em> Avennatti stated, opting not to mention the legal woes he and his star client Stormy Daniels are mired in.<\/p>\n Last month, the court sided with President Donald Trump as it threw out a defamation lawsuit filed by Avenatti over a tweet in which Trump called the porn actress a \u201ccon job.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n Avenatti, together with his another high-profile client, Julie Swetnick, is facing a criminal investigation by the Justice Department into whether she had provided false statements while accusing Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh of sexual misconduct.<\/p>\n Read more<\/p>\n Apart from the legal troubles of his clients, the self-styled champion of women\u2019s rights and, until recently, CNN darling, is embroiled in a litigation with his former law firm partner \u2013 which is also not going his way. In October, a Los Angeles Court court ordered Avenatti to pay $4.85 million in unpaid debts to the former colleague.<\/p>\n On top of that, Avenatti reportedly owns at least $1.2. million in unpaid taxes to IRS.<\/p>\n Probably the final nail in the coffin of his presidential hopes are the accusations of domestic assault<\/a> filed by Estonian-born actress Mareli Miniutti. The lawyer was even briefly arrested on felony violence charges last month following the complaint. While the prosecution declined to proceed with felony charges, the investigation into a potential misdemeanor is still underway.<\/p>\n Before his dramatic fall from grace, Avenatti seemingly suggested that he was a perfect pick for a Democratic contender \u2013 since the Democrats should pit \u201ca white male\u201d<\/em> against Trump if they want to have some real chances in 2020.<\/p>\n In his statement on Tuesday, Avenatti appears to hint that he thinks his withdrawal is the Democrats’ loss, saying he is \u201cconcerned that the Democratic Party will move toward nominating an individual who might make an exceptional President but has not chance of actually beating Donald Trump.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n While Avenatti has now officially dropped his presidential bid, he argued that he still had a good standing despite \u201cpolling at 1 percent\u201d<\/em> as pointed out by one of the commentators.<\/p>\n Nate – this just goes to show you really don’t know what you are talking about. 1) Trump polled at 0-3% until June of 2015 (polls rt now mean nothing); 2) I have not been charged with anything; 3) I have travelled to over 20 states in 4 mos – Dems want a fighter to beat Trump.<\/p>\n \u2014 Michael Avenatti (@MichaelAvenatti) December 4, 2018<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n However, for many Avenatti\u2019s pullout from the race has become rather a relief.<\/p>\n Avenatti ends 2020 run, but not before taking a shot at Democrats: They have \u201cno real chance\u201d against Trump.<\/p>\n This is why I criticized @MichaelAvenatti<\/a> last week. He\u2019s out for himself\u2014not our country\u2014and I knew it when he attacked Mueller\u2019s key witness on twitter.<\/p>\n GOOD RIDDANCE.<\/p>\n \u2014 Ryan Knight 🇺🇸 (@ProudResister) December 4, 2018<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n Avenatti soberly telling us he’s not running in 2020 as if he’s letting us down and Biden pompously asserting he’s obviously the best person to run the country. It’s so perfect.<\/p>\n \u2014 Secular Talk (@KyleKulinski) December 4, 2018<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n Like this story? Share it with a friend!<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n
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