Stormy Daniels’ Lawyer Michael Avenatti Challenges Rudy Giuliani to Network Duel
Michael Avenatti, the attorney for adult film star Stormy Daniels, wants to debate President Donald Trump‘s personal attorney, Rudy Giuliani, on television, a proposition which seems to point Guiliani in a lose-lose situation.
Daniels, whose real name is Stephanie Clifford, has alleged that she had an extramarital affair with Trump in 2006, just one month after Trump and his wife, Melania Trump, gave birth to their now 10-year-old son, Barron Trump. Daniels signed an agreement at the time not to tell anyone about her sexual escapade with the billionaire real estate mogul. At the height of the 2016 campaign, Trump’s personal lawyer Michael Cohen paid Daniels $130,000 to keep the affair quiet.
Giuliani acknowledged for the first time last week that Trump repaid Cohen $130,000 — raising serious questions about whether the president violated campaign finance laws at the time. Giuliani embarked on an all-out media blitz following his bombshell comments Wednesday — but he wasn’t the only one enjoying time on the airwaves. Avenatti pounced on Giuliani’s comments, insisting they only added to his client’s case against Trump.
The next several days amounted to two lawyers, both seemingly envious of the amount of air time the other received, talking past each other on different networks.
But on Tuesday, Avenatti didn’t just take to the airwaves. He took to Twitter.
“I think it would be very helpful for the public to witness a discussion between Mr. Giuliani and me concerning the facts of the case, etc. I am willing to participate on any network provided both sides are provided a fair shake. I am also willing to do it on 12-hrs notice,” Avenatti tweeted.
It was not immediately clear whether Giuliani will agree to go one-on-one with Avenatti. While Giuliani clearly enjoys basking in the TV spotlight, recent reports have suggested that Trump isn’t pleased with Giuliani’s public performances so far (though Giuliani claims otherwise).
It seems that Giuliani is in a lose-lose situation. If he takes Avenatti up on the offer, it’s possible he risks further upsetting his boss. On the other hand, if Giuliani refuses Avenatti’s offer, he risks being perceived by the public as afraid to confront Avenatti one-on-one.
[image via screengrab]
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