Avenatti previously described himself as Trump's 'most dangerous enemy'
Imprisoned Avenatti declares harsh sentence is due to being ‘biggest enemy of Donald Trump’
While calling into MSNBC from prison, disgraced former attorney Michael Avenatti told network host Ari Melber that he received his prison sentence in part due to him being the "biggest enemy" of former President Trump.
According to a New York Post report, the suspended lawyer who once considered himself former President Trump’s "most dangerous enemy" is open to testifying if asked by Trump's defense team.
The outlet published quotes from political reporter Jon Levine's interview with Michael Avenatti, who is serving a prison sentence in Los Angeles for fraud, extortion and other crimes.
Avenatti once represented porn star Stormy Daniels as she attempted to sue Trump following their alleged affair. The attorney was eventually convicted of defrauding Daniels in 2022 and sentenced to 48 months in prison.
MICHAEL AVENATTI SENTENCED TO 4 YEARS IN PRISON FOR DEFRAUDING STORMY DANIELS
Porn star Stormy Daniels former lawyer Michael Avenatti claimed hed be willing to testify on behalf of former President Trump in his ongoing hush money trial. (AP Photo/Mary Altaffer, File)
Avenatti had also been sentenced to 14 years in prison for cheating four former clients out of millions of dollars and trying to obstruct the IRS from collecting payroll taxes from a coffee shop he owned.
In a phone call from prison, Avenatti told the Post he's been talking to Trump’s legal defense team and expressed that he is willing to testify if called upon.
"The defense has contacted me," he said. "I’d be more than happy to testify, I don’t know that I will be called to testify, but I have been in touch with Trump’s defense for the better part of year."
Someone close to Trump confirmed the ongoing discussions, according to the Post.
Avenatti defended Trump amid his trial against Daniels, telling the outlet, "There’s no question [the trial] is politically motivated because they’re concerned that he may be re-elected."
"If the defendant was anyone other than Donald Trump, this case would not have been brought at this time, and for the government to attempt to bring this case and convict him in an effort to prevent tens of millions of people from voting for him," he said. "I think it’s just flat-out wrong and atrocious."
Avenatti’s statements seem to represent an about-face from his previous animosity toward the former president in the years leading up to the trial.
As he noted in a recent MSNBC interview he also did from prison, Avenatti described himself as once being Trump’s "most dangerous enemy." He even claimed it was his anti-Trump position that motivated the Department of Justice to give him such harsh treatment with his sentencing.
"I was not treated fairly and I was treated differently," Avenatti told MSNBC host Ari Melber earlier this month.
US PROSECUTORS TARGET AVENATTI'S $4.5 MILLION JET FOR CIVIL FORFEITURE
Michael Avenatti told MSNBC host Ari Melber during a recent interview that he flet his prison sentence was influenced by his political enemies in the Trump administration. (AP Photo/John Minchillo, File)
Multiple social media users reacted in shock to the news on Saturday.
Pro-Trump digital strategist Alex Bruesewitz commented on X, formerly Twitter: "Wow @MichaelAvenatti is willing to testify on behalf of @realDonaldTrump. Did not have this on my bingo card this year, but Avenatti knows all the facts about Stormy and disgraceful Michael Cohen. Avenatti has been saying this case is BS for weeks now!"
Actor and conservative Matthew Marsden said, "I did not see that coming."
Wow @MichaelAvenatti is willing to testify on behalf of @realDonaldTrump. Did not have this on my bingo card this year, but Avenatti knows all the facts about Stormy and disgraceful Michael Cohen.
— Alex Bruesewitz 🇺🇸 (@alexbruesewitz) April 20, 2024
Avenatti has been saying this case is BS for weeks now! 👀 https://t.co/d44mFRK55s
RedState contributor Bonchie said, "Yes, things can get dumber."
I did not see that coming. https://t.co/oB6e2n4VOL
— Matthew Marsden (@matthewdmarsden) April 20, 2024
Conservative account ALX wrote, "We are living in interesting times."
Yes, things can get dumber. https://t.co/gVxU0kawxg
— Bonchie (@bonchieredstate) April 20, 2024
Author and entrepreneur Carol Roth asked, "Wtf?"
We are living in interesting times. https://t.co/SA2nW92PjA
— ALX 🇺🇸 (@alx) April 20, 2024
Gabriel Hays is an associate editor for Fox News Digital.
