As attorney Michael Avenatti is sentenced to time in prison, a video is resurfacing showing media personalities praising him in the past and dubbing him the “savior of the Republic.”
Avenatti rose to fame when he represented Stormy Daniels in her lawsuits against former President Donald Trump.
A video montage posted by The Washington Free Beacon in 2019 resurfaced following Avenatti’s sentencing on Thursday.
In the video, Avenatti was dubbed “Donald Trump’s worst nightmare,” “savior of the Republic,” a “folk hero,” “a beast,” among others.
“The Late Show” host Stephen Colbert called Avenatti an “existential threat to the Trump presidency.”
Additionally, MSNBC anchor Stephanie Ruhle said of Avenatti, “Democrats could learn something from you. You are messing with Trump a lot more than they are.”
CNN’s Brian Stelter also previously said he was taking Avenatti “seriously” as a presidential contender “because of your presence on cable news.”
Avenatti was sentenced to 30 months in prison for attempting to extort Nike.
The celebrity lawyer wept on Thursday and said, “I alone have destroyed my career, my relationships and my life. And there is no doubt I need to pay.”
“Mr. Avenatti had become drunk on the power of his platform, or what he perceived the power of his platform to be,” federal court Judge Paul Gardephe said, adding, “Mr. Avenatti’s conduct was outrageous.”
Nike also said in a statement, “The verdict and sentence speak for themselves.”
