Michael Avenatti says he won't run for president in 2020


Michael Avenatti is counting himself out.
The attorney who rose to fame while representing adult film actress Stormy Daniels said on Twitter Tuesday that he will not be running for president in 2020 at his family's request. "I do not make this decision lightly — I make it out of respect for my family," he writes. "But for their concerns, I would run." Avenatti had previously said he was "exploring" a possible presidential campaign.
Avenatti went on to say he's concerned that Democrats will ultimately nominate someone who "has no chance of actually beating Donald Trump," contending that the party needs someone who is "battletested" and a "fighter." He had previously argued the party must nominate a white male to defeat President Trump because "when you have a white male making the arguments, they carry more weight."
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.
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
Brendan worked as a culture writer at The Week from 2018 to 2023, covering the entertainment industry, including film reviews, television recaps, awards season, the box office, major movie franchises and Hollywood gossip. He has written about film and television for outlets including Bloody Disgusting, Showbiz Cheat Sheet, Heavy and The Celebrity Cafe.
-
These are the 8 restaurants to eat at this spring
The Week Recommends An array of cuisines at noteworthy restaurants across the US
By Scott Hocker, The Week US Published
-
'A political agenda aimed at reshaping higher education into an ideological stronghold'
instant opinion 'Opinion, comment and editorials of the day'
By Anya Jaremko-Greenwold, The Week US Published
-
How is March Madness changing in the era of sports betting and Name Image and Likeness?
Today's Big Question College sports has experienced a revolution. NIL payments are letting players get paid. The rise of sports betting has brought new pressures to the game.
By Joel Mathis, The Week US Published
-
Canada's Mark Carney calls snap election
speed read Voters will go to the polls on April 28 to pick a new government
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Musk set to earn billions from Trump administration
Speed Read Musk's company SpaceX will receive billions in federal government contracts in the coming years
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Reports: Musk to get briefed on top secret China war plan
Speed Read In a major expansion of Elon Musk's government role, he will be briefed on military plans for potential war with China
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Trump signs order to end Education Department
Speed Read The move will return education 'back to the states where it belongs,' the president says
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Trump pauses $175M for Penn over trans athlete
Speed Read The president is withholding federal funds from the University of Pennsylvania because it once allowed a transgender swimmer to compete
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
Trump purports to 'void' Biden pardons
Speed Read Joe Biden's pardons of Jan. 6 committee members are not valid because they were done by autopen, says Trump
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
White House ignores judicial deportation blocks
Speed Read The Trump administration deports alleged Venezuelan gang members under a wartime law, defying a court order
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Schumer: Democrats will help pass spending bill
Speed Read The Democrats end the threat of government shutdown
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published