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."
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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.
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