While Brian Stelter just averts his eyes and pretends that Michael Avenatti isn’t a thing, his CNN colleague Chris Cillizza is confronting the issue head-on … by blaming it on Donald Trump:

"Trump may have created the environment in which someone like Avenatti could be taken semi-seriously as a presidential candidate. But Avenatti's fall also proves there is only one Donald Trump out there."https://t.co/ehFzXyjR1P — Chris Cillizza (@CillizzaCNN) March 25, 2019

Oh, this we’ve gotta read:

The rise and fall — and potential criminal collapse — of Avenatti is both not at all surprising and sadly typical of the circus-like political environment in which we all find ourselves. Avenatti is the sort of person who, in this climate, can’t and won’t be ignored, even as everyone (maybe including Avenatti himself) knew that none of this would end well. At all.

Everyone knew, Chris? Then why did your network work so hard to turn him into a celebrity?

Avenatti came onto the national radar thanks to Donald Trump. He was hired by porn star Stormy Daniels to represent her in a suit in which she sought to end the confidentiality agreement she signed in the run-up to the 2016 election to keep her allegations that she had an affair with Trump in the mid-2000s quiet. Soon after he was brought on in spring 2017, Avenatti, who had always harbored a flair for and love of television, became a near-constant presence on cable news — making the case, loudly, that he had proof that Trump had coordinated payments to Daniels. … Suddenly, Avenatti was everywhere. His seeming ability to back up his braggadocio coupled with his never-say-no attitude toward cable TV appearances and always-lively Twitter feed made him catnip for a political-media culture that has become addicted to the reality TV aspects of Trump’s candidacy and presidency.

Why was he everywhere, Chris? Did he hijack CNN and force you guys to give him airtime?

Now there's a take https://t.co/QZYaVRYHJM — David Rutz (@DavidRutz) March 25, 2019

Hot as they come.

This has to be a parody account — Sweater Yams (@Sweater_Yams_) March 25, 2019

Here for the ratio. — Sean (@smcqueeney1) March 25, 2019

It’s shaping up nicely. And with good reason.

Dude, what? — Liam Fuller (@LiamFOnline) March 25, 2019

It's amazing how many times I've used this gif today pic.twitter.com/lDUMyD1VBV — Carolinafan53186 (@carolinafan5318) March 25, 2019

Well, it fits.

This is a joke, right? CNN was hoping he would run for President against Trump for goodness sake. Lol — Mandy ☕?? (@SpringSteps) March 25, 2019

Flashback:

From just six months ago, CNN has a serious discussion of presidential prospects with Michael Avenatti: pic.twitter.com/v2eiRDaVyE — Byron York (@ByronYork) March 25, 2019

But this is all on Trump.

It's funny how everything is Trump's fault…even when it isn't. — live free or deb (@livefreeordeb) March 25, 2019

Trump is to blame for Avenatti and definitely not your employer. https://t.co/z9MpWV4S5A — Stephen Miller (@redsteeze) March 25, 2019

*fake hate crime exposed*

“Well, Trump created an environment of hate…..” *sham Russia accusations debunked*,

“Well, Trump created an environment of suspicion…..” *CNN’s hero resistance lawyer indicted*

“Well, Trump created an environment where we took CPL seriously….” https://t.co/YVlyoFIwNl — Will (@Oil_Guns_Merica) March 25, 2019

Trump is a product of the circus. He didn't start it. The media lost its way long before he became President. pic.twitter.com/DIB9lYuWbc — BT (@back_ttys) March 25, 2019

Yep. The media, including CNN, bear probably more responsibility than anyone else for Donald Trump’s ascension to the presidency. And they bear more responsibility than anyone else for Michael Avenatti’s meteoric and undeserved rise. Avenatti’s fall is the media’s as well. And the sooner brave firefighters like Cillizza admit that, the better off we’ll all be.

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Related:

Brent Bozell explains why CNN is having ‘a very, very bad day’; Avenatti was on how many times?