Stormy Daniels' Lawyer Is in Iowa, Eyeing a Bigger Job

Michael Avenatti has become a familiar name as a legal foe of President Trump. Now the attorney for Stormy Daniels says he's considering turning into a political foe as well. "I'm exploring a run for the presidency of the United States, and I wanted to come to Iowa and listen to people and learn about some issues that are facing the citizens of Iowa and do my homework," Avenatti tells the Des Moines Register. The attorney is indeed in Iowa, and on Friday he'll be an invited speaker at the Democratic Wing Ding fundraiser, which has previously attracted the likes of Hillary Clinton, Bernie Sanders, and Barack Obama.

Avenatti knows what you're thinking: publicity stunt. But he insists that isn't the case. "Anybody paying attention in the last six months knows the last thing I need is any additional publicity," he tells the New York Times. After Iowa, Avenatti will be off to New Hampshire, the first primary state. The New Republic checks around and rounds up reaction it describes as ranging from "amusement to despair." But Avenatti says times have changed, adding, "Democrats need to nominate somebody who can actually beat this guy." (More Michael Avenatti stories.)