Michael Avenatti went on Tucker Carlson's show, and it was 100 percent uncomfortable
It started with an insult, crescendoed with talk of President Trump's condom use, and ended with Tucker Carlson laughing at his own joke.
Michael Avenatti, the attorney representing Stormy Daniels in her lawsuits against Trump and his former personal lawyer Michael Cohen, appeared on Carlson's Fox News show Thursday night, and before he even said a word, the chyron on the screen described Avenatti as a "creepy porn lawyer." Carlson started by asking him about comments he made regarding Russia, and Avenatti said Trump should "not be standing shoulder to shoulder with Vladimir Putin and choosing Russia over the hardworking men and women of the intelligence community that risk their lives for this country. The president has sold out the United States for the benefit of Putin."
Carlson accused Avenatti of using "reckless rhetoric on a subject you don't really understand," to which Avenatti responded, "I stand by my words, and I think for you to lecture me about reckless rhetoric is rather ironic, Tucker, in light of some of the reckless rhetoric you engage in each and every day on this show." He then started asking the questions, specifically, "Why don't you call Donald Trump the 'creepy porn president,' he's the one that had sex with a 4-month-old son at home with my client without a condom."
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Carlson accused Avenatti of "exploiting" and profiting from Daniels. Why, Carlson asked, was Daniels working at strip clubs with people "throwing things at her" while Avenatti was on TV wearing $1,000 suits? Avenatti called the charge "absurd." After some back and forth, Avenatti asked Carlson how someone so "ignorant" could have his own show, and asked: "Do you have that big a problem with porn? When's the last time you watched porn?" Carlson shot back that he views "humiliation porn, that's why I watch you on CNN," then laughed, loudly. If you have a high tolerance for awkwardness, watch below.Catherine Garcia
Create an account with the same email registered to your subscription to unlock access.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Catherine Garcia is night editor for TheWeek.com. Her writing and reporting has appeared in Entertainment Weekly and EW.com, The New York Times, The Book of Jezebel, and other publications. A Southern California native, Catherine is a graduate of the University of Redlands and the Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism.
-
Dresden: on the trail of a Romantic icon in Germany
the week recommends The Saxon city celebrates the 250th birthday of Caspar David Friedrich this year
By The Week UK Published
-
5 tremendously trending cartoons on the TikTok showdown
Cartoons Artists take on Chinese influence, privacy concerns, and more
By The Week US Published
-
Recipe: nasi goreng spicy fried rice
The Week Recommends Perfect for weeknights, this gluten-free twist on Indonesian fried rice is 'oh-so-good'
By The Week UK Published
-
Laurence Fox suspended by GB News after 'unacceptable' Ava Evans comments
Speed Read Broadcaster issues apology after actor goes on a tirade during a live interview with Dan Wootton
By Arion McNicoll, The Week UK Published
-
Fox News apologizes to Gold Star family for false story Marine Corps called 'disgusting'
Speed Read
By Peter Weber Published
-
What Tucker Carlson's departure means for Fox News
Talking Point What will the network do without its highest-rated host?
By Catherine Garcia Published
-
Tucker Carlson Tonight is being replaced by Fox News Tonight
Speed Read
By Catherine Garcia Published
-
Judge delays Fox News-Dominion defamation trial start, reportedly to allow settlement talks
Speed Read
By Peter Weber Published
-
Judge orders Dominion lawsuit against Fox News to go to trial
Speed Read
By Justin Klawans Published
-
Fox News seeks gag order for producer who claims she was coerced to mislead in Dominion deposition
Speed Read
By Peter Weber Published
-
Lawsuit documents: After 2020 election, Tucker Carlson said he hates Trump 'passionately'
Speed Read
By Catherine Garcia Published