MSNBC took a wave of backlash after it aired an interview with former Stormy Daniels attorney Michael Avenatti — who had to take the call from the prison where he’s serving time — after hosts and employees made it clear that former RNC Chairwoman Ronna McDaniel would not be an acceptable addition to the network.
Host Ari Melber interviewed the disgraced attorney, who was sentenced in late 2022 to serve 14 years for wire-fraud and obstruction, about the potential outcome of the hush-money case against former President Donald Trump. “I think [Trump] will be convicted,” Avenatti said.
WATCH:
Stormy Daniels’ former lawyer Michael Avenatti on the New York trial outcome: “I think [Trump] will be convicted.” pic.twitter.com/dPa7TzLEe8
— The Beat with Ari Melber 📺 (@TheBeatWithAri) April 9, 2024
Critics were quick to note that MSNBC, where employees and hosts banded together to shut down NBC News’ plan to hire McDaniel as a commentator, didn’t appear to believe that inviting a convicted felon to comment — from prison, no less — was an issue.
“MSNBC and like-minded two weeks ago: “We must keep liars like Ronna McDaniel off of our airwaves!” Fox News contributor Joe Concha posted, sharing a screenshot from Melber’s show.
MSNBC and like-minded two weeks ago: "We must keep liars like Ronna McDaniel off of our airwaves!"
Also MSNBC last night: https://t.co/rPCAZJ7ukA
— Joe Concha (@JoeConchaTV) April 10, 2024
“You guys are beyond great. Just give Michael Cohen and Avenatti a show together already. For those wondering, Avenatti did this interview from federal prison. Just the guy you call in these situations. Our media is broken well, well beyond repair,” Concha said in another post.
You guys are beyond great. Just give Michael Cohen and Avenatti a show together already.
For those wondering, Avenatti did this interview from federal prison. Just the guy you call in these situations.
Our media is broken well, well beyond repair. https://t.co/uYYywSvjJF
— Joe Concha (@JoeConchaTV) April 10, 2024
“What so often makes American politics such compelling entertainment is the cast of grifters and characters – but also the shamelessness of here getting legal advice from Michael Avenatti *who is in a US federal prison for fraud*,” X user Gray Connolly added.
What so often makes American politics such compelling entertainment is the cast of grifters and characters – but also the shamelessness of here getting legal advice from Michael Avenatti *who is in a US federal prison for fraud* https://t.co/HPUYGbVPyb
— Gray Connolly (@GrayConnolly) April 10, 2024
“MSNBC LOGIC: Former RNC Chair Ronna McDaniel isn’t allowed on air and we will riot in order to end her NBC contributorship. But disgraced lawyer and extortionist Michael Avenatti is allowed to call in to MSNBC Primetime from federal prison,” conservative communications strategist Steve Guest said in a post to X.
MSNBC LOGIC:
Former RNC Chair Ronna McDaniel isn’t allowed on air and we will riot in order to end her NBC contributorship.
But disgraced lawyer and extortionist Michael Avenatti is allowed to call in to MSNBC Primetime from federal prison. pic.twitter.com/Ah5uaG7G63
— Steve Guest (@SteveGuest) April 10, 2024
Conservative radio host Erick Erickson said, “Ronna McDaniel is too much for MSNBC, but not this guy. Comcast keeps making these choices.”
Ronna McDaniel is too much for MSNBC, but not this guy. Comcast keeps making these choices. https://t.co/wlgdgAELZq
— Erick Erickson (@EWErickson) April 10, 2024
“Remember like last week when MSNBC hosts feigned bravery for opposing Ronna McDaniel’s hiring? Anyway, they’re now doing jailhouse interviews with Avenatti,” another X user posted.
Remember like last week when MSNBC hosts feigned bravery for opposing Ronna McDaniel’s hiring?
Anyway, they’re now doing jailhouse interviews with Avenatti. https://t.co/9zmZcTeiUj
— Sunny (@sunnyright) April 10, 2024
“The fourth estate is now happily playing liimbo with the corpse of journalism being used as the bar,” another said.
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The fourth estate is now happily playing liimbo with the corpse of journalism being used as the bar. https://t.co/pFE9Ofg01D
— Rick “No One” Robinson 🇺🇸 🇮🇱 (@RowdyRick73) April 10, 2024