Matt Gaetz's statement, "I never had sex with a 17-yo AS AN ADULT", is an out.

[Progressive Lawyer]

It's meant to provide Gaetz with an out. Eventually, Gatez will claim the "as an adult" phrase refers to the 17-year old, not to Gaetz himself.

So basically, Gatez is saying he never had sex with a 17-year old while the 17-year old was an adult. Of course, that is an impossibility. However, Gatez never denies having sex with a 17-year old while the 17-years old was a minor.

[ColinC]

1. The question now should be

"did you have sex with a 17 year old while you were an adult?"

[Demovictory9]

2. what about younger than 17?

very specific statement he's making. time for the sleezeball to resign

[dewsgirl]

3. Bingo.

[dawg day]

4. Considering his aging frat boy mien...

He probably means he's still not an adult.

[Maeve]

5. I figure it's his way of bragging

That he totally DID have sex as a teen, and probably with girls older than himself, just so you know what a stud he is...
He is and always has been a self-important loser.

[Cuthbert Allgood]

6. What exactly does that get him out of?

That he lied when he said that? Doesn't get him out of any charges.

[Progressive Lawyer]

9. It get's him out of a lie if the victim comes forward to admit sex with Gaetz.

[Cuthbert Allgood]

10. Well if she comes forward, he's then going to have to say

"Yeah, I didn't lie about having sex with a minor. I mean, I had sex with a minor, but I didn't lie to the press about it." So, yeah, weird flex, but OK.

[madinmaryland]

7. I don't think he meant what came out of his mouth. He doesn't strike me as the brightest

bulb around. Unless he said this under oath then it’s just Gaetz saying stupid and meaningless shit.

[LexVegas]

8. What?

[11 Bravo]

11. I read it to say that while he might have had sex with a 17 year old when HE was 17 or younger ...

he never did so after he reached adulthood.

And I think that's a lie.