Aggressive Trump critic tests his message with Iowa’s early voters

Michael Avenatti’s crusade for the porn actress taking on the president already has catapulted him to cable news stardom and endeared him to many frustrated liberals. Now the self-styled “dragon slayer” is taking his message to Iowa Democrats.

And the attorney who has spent months positioning himself as one of President Trump’s leading critics insists this foray into Iowa — an early proving ground on the presidential campaign calendar — is not a stunt.

“I am seriously considering it, and I think a lot of it is going to hinge on what direction I think the party is taking and who is likely to get in the race,” Avenatti said in an interview. He said he’s not trying “to get under the president’s skin.