'Angling for a pardon': Trump slammed as he thanks ex-Stormy Daniels lawyer Michael Avenatti for support

WASHINGTON, DC: In the midst of his criminal hush money lawsuit, former President Donald Trump expressed gratitude on Wednesday to Stormy Daniels' former lawyer, Michael Avenatti, for standing up for him against the gag order, according to Newsweek.

Notably, in a lawsuit initiated by Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg, Trump has been charged with 34 counts of falsifying company documents about payments of hush money made to Daniels during his 2016 presidential campaign.

Moreover, Daniels has claimed that she was paid not to speak about an early 2000s affair she had with the former President. Trump has pled not guilty to all counts and denies having an affair. He asserted that there is political motivation for the lawsuit.

Donald Trump thanks Stormy Daniels' former lawyer for defending him

Avenatti supported Trump in a post on X last week in response to Judge Juan Merchan, who is overseeing the case, placing a gag order on him that shields witnesses like Daniels and court employees from being publicly targeted by the former president.

He wrote on X, "We can't be hypocrites when it comes to the 1st Amendment. It is outrageous that Cohen and Daniels can do countless TV interviews, post on social, & make $$ on bogus documentaries—all by talking s*** about Trump—but he's gagged and threatened with jail if he responds."

In response, Trump thanked Avenatti on Truth Social for standing up for him. Trump wrote, "Thank you to Michael Avenatti—for revealing the truth about two sleaze bags who have, with their lies and misrepresentations, cost our Country dearly!"

Avenatti's remarks follow those from Michael Cohen, the former lawyer for Trump who is now a strong critic, who has frequently been on MSNBC to discuss the ex-prez's legal problems, including the Manhattan criminal case in which he is a star witness. Furthermore, the adult film actress tells her life story in the documentary 'Stormy', which Peacock released in March.

Meanwhile, Avenatti is in jail for stealing millions of dollars from clients and impeding the Internal Revenue Service's (IRS) attempts to retrieve unpaid taxes from his now-closed coffee business Tully's. Daniels was one of Avenatti's victims, having been duped out of $300,000.

Internet slams Trump for thanking Stormy Daniels' former lawyer

Many Internet users slammed Donald Trump as he expressed gratitude to Stormy Daniels' former lawyer, Michael Avenatti, for standing up for him against the gag order.

A user wrote on X, "He's angling for a pardon," while one added, "Republicans will believe anything they’re told LOL. Gonna be a wake-up call when the court finds him guilty based on evidence."

Another wrote, "He really want that pardon. lol," while someone else mentioned, "Wagering on that future pardon."

This article contains remarks made on the Internet by individual people and organizations. MEAWW cannot confirm them independently and does not support claims or opinions being made online.