# Matt Gaetz being investigated for sex with 17 year old girl (DOJ declines to charge 2023-02-15) **URL:** \ **Category:** Politics & Elections\ **Created:** [March 30, 2021, 10:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/matt-gaetz-being-investigated-for-sex-with-17-year-old-girl-doj-declines-to-charge-2023-02-15/939052 "2021-03-30T22:13:42Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 14
**Author:** ![Cervaise](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cervaise/32/16693_2.png) [@Cervaise](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cervaise)\ **Post date:** [April 11, 2021, 5:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/matt-gaetz-being-investigated-for-sex-with-17-year-old-girl-doj-declines-to-charge-2023-02-15/939052/263 "2021-04-11T05:52:23Z")
> [@Deeg](#): > > If a couple of women come forward with public accusations then I expect that the republicans will drop Gaetz. You’re not doing yourself any favors giving away this comedy for free. You really should charge for this stuff. ---
**Author:** ![Euphonious\_Polemic](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/euphonious_polemic/32/3002_2.png) [@Euphonious\_Polemic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Euphonious_Polemic)\ **Post date:** [April 11, 2021, 4:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/matt-gaetz-being-investigated-for-sex-with-17-year-old-girl-doj-declines-to-charge-2023-02-15/939052/264 "2021-04-11T16:00:03Z")
> [@Deeg](#): > > If a couple of women come forward with public accusations then I expect that the republicans will drop Gaetz. Ha ha ha ha ha! Right. I’m sure that Republicans won’t immediately go on a spree of character assassination against any woman that comes forward. Nope, nope. Republicans would never stoop to this. ---
**Author:** ![Saintly\_Loser](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/saintly_loser/32/4045_2.png) [@Saintly\_Loser](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Saintly_Loser)\ **Post date:** [April 11, 2021, 4:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/matt-gaetz-being-investigated-for-sex-with-17-year-old-girl-doj-declines-to-charge-2023-02-15/939052/265 "2021-04-11T16:10:43Z")
> [@Euphonious\_Polemic](#): > > I’m sure that Republicans won’t immediately go on a spree of character assassination against any woman that comes forward. In this particular case, I don’t think they will. I don’t think Gaetz has made a lot of friends in the House. I don’t think any but the Trumpiest (Marjorie Taylor Greene, Jim Jordan) will speak up publicly in his defense, or expend any effort to discredit his accuser(s), should an accuser come forward. Why bother? He’s not loved by his party or his fellow Congresspeople. He’s from a safe Rebublican district, so there’s not much risk of losing that seat to the Democrats should Gaetz ultimately resign. ---
**Author:** ![flurb](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/51bf81/32.png) [@flurb](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/flurb)\ **Post date:** [April 11, 2021, 4:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/matt-gaetz-being-investigated-for-sex-with-17-year-old-girl-doj-declines-to-charge-2023-02-15/939052/266 "2021-04-11T16:39:50Z")
I agree. Gaetz is completely expendable, and pretty much the entire Republican universe has already abandoned him including Trump. However, Florida primary elections make the candidate with the most votes the winner, even if he or she did not get a majority of votes (i.e. no runoff election). Gaetz’ best hope (and Republican’s nightmare) is that he manages to come out on top in a crowded primary field. Then it’s either hold their noses and support the accused sex trafficker, or risk the seat going to the Democrat. While the district is overwhelmingly Republican, it’s not unheard of for a heavily partisan seat to flip due to a scandal-plagued incumbent (e.g. William Jefferson losing a D+28 district in 2008 to Republican Joseph Cao.) ---
**Author:** ![Chisquirrel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/6bbea6/32.png) [@Chisquirrel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chisquirrel)\ **Post date:** [April 11, 2021, 5:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/matt-gaetz-being-investigated-for-sex-with-17-year-old-girl-doj-declines-to-charge-2023-02-15/939052/267 "2021-04-11T17:24:32Z")
> [@Deeg](#): > > This is somewhat true, but only after women went public with their accusations. So Democrats only got mad when they found out about it, and not before? Damn those non-omniscient Dems! ---
**Author:** ![Deeg](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/deeg/32/2955_2.png) [@Deeg](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Deeg)\ **Post date:** [April 11, 2021, 5:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/matt-gaetz-being-investigated-for-sex-with-17-year-old-girl-doj-declines-to-charge-2023-02-15/939052/268 "2021-04-11T17:25:32Z")
Awesome, let’s minimize a man in power assaulting women cuz he’s a democrat. ---
**Author:** ![Deeg](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/deeg/32/2955_2.png) [@Deeg](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Deeg)\ **Post date:** [April 11, 2021, 5:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/matt-gaetz-being-investigated-for-sex-with-17-year-old-girl-doj-declines-to-charge-2023-02-15/939052/269 "2021-04-11T17:30:00Z")
You mean like the character assassination of the woman who accused Biden? Sure, I think she made most of it up but we don’t have to vilify her. Lewinsky is still persona non grata in liberal circles. Sure, let’s focus on the republicans so we can ignore when democrats do it. ---
**Author:** ![Deeg](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/deeg/32/2955_2.png) [@Deeg](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Deeg)\ **Post date:** [April 11, 2021, 5:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/matt-gaetz-being-investigated-for-sex-with-17-year-old-girl-doj-declines-to-charge-2023-02-15/939052/270 "2021-04-11T17:33:41Z")
Let’s see what happens with Cuomo. I hope I’m wrong; democrats need to keep pressure on him to resign. If Cuomo resigns in disgrace, accusations become public with Gaetz and republicans support him then I will concede that republicans are worse than democrats. ---
**Author:** ![Miller](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/miller/32/481_2.png) [@Miller](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Miller)\ **Post date:** [April 11, 2021, 5:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/matt-gaetz-being-investigated-for-sex-with-17-year-old-girl-doj-declines-to-charge-2023-02-15/939052/271 "2021-04-11T17:36:34Z")
> [@Deeg](#): > > Awesome, let’s minimize a man in power assaulting women cuz he’s a democrat. As opposed to minimizing a rapist because he’s a Republican? ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [April 11, 2021, 5:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/matt-gaetz-being-investigated-for-sex-with-17-year-old-girl-doj-declines-to-charge-2023-02-15/939052/272 "2021-04-11T17:39:37Z")
> [@Deeg](#): > > Lewinsky is still persona non grata in liberal circles. She’s a complete nonentity in liberal circles, and in all other circles. Why would you expect her to be relevant in any way at all? ---
**Author:** ![JohnT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnt/32/15048_2.png) [@JohnT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JohnT)\ **Post date:** [April 11, 2021, 5:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/matt-gaetz-being-investigated-for-sex-with-17-year-old-girl-doj-declines-to-charge-2023-02-15/939052/273 "2021-04-11T17:41:56Z")
> [@Deeg](#): > > Awesome, let’s minimize a man in power assaulting women cuz he’s a democrat. Let’s minimize child rape because a Democrat slapped a woman on the ass. Disgusting. But then, you’ve been carrying water for evil for years now. Why am I not surprised that you make raping children a partisan issue? ---
**Author:** ![Deeg](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/deeg/32/2955_2.png) [@Deeg](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Deeg)\ **Post date:** [April 11, 2021, 5:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/matt-gaetz-being-investigated-for-sex-with-17-year-old-girl-doj-declines-to-charge-2023-02-15/939052/274 "2021-04-11T17:56:20Z")
Please point out where I said that. I’ve said multiple times that both are scumbags that should be thrown out. You guys are the ones trying to minimize one over the other. ---
**Author:** ![Deeg](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/deeg/32/2955_2.png) [@Deeg](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Deeg)\ **Post date:** [April 11, 2021, 5:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/matt-gaetz-being-investigated-for-sex-with-17-year-old-girl-doj-declines-to-charge-2023-02-15/939052/275 "2021-04-11T17:58:15Z")
I’ve said both are equally bad and equally worth condemnation. You’re the one trying to minimize one. ---
**Author:** ![Miller](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/miller/32/481_2.png) [@Miller](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Miller)\ **Post date:** [April 11, 2021, 6:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/matt-gaetz-being-investigated-for-sex-with-17-year-old-girl-doj-declines-to-charge-2023-02-15/939052/276 "2021-04-11T18:00:14Z")
> [@Deeg](#): > > Please point out where I said that. You literally do it in the very next post. > [@Deeg](#): > > I’ve said both are equally bad… Yes, sexual harassment is bad. Sex trafficking minors is worse, and by trying to compare the two, you’re minimizing the more serious offense. ---
**Author:** ![JohnT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnt/32/15048_2.png) [@JohnT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JohnT)\ **Post date:** [April 11, 2021, 6:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/matt-gaetz-being-investigated-for-sex-with-17-year-old-girl-doj-declines-to-charge-2023-02-15/939052/277 "2021-04-11T18:00:21Z")
As one who was raped as a child, I will attest that one is, in fact, categorically worse than the other. A psycopath carrying water for evil. What a shock. ---
**Author:** ![Red\_Wiggler](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/red_wiggler/32/13190_2.png) [@Red\_Wiggler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Red_Wiggler)\ **Post date:** [April 11, 2021, 6:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/matt-gaetz-being-investigated-for-sex-with-17-year-old-girl-doj-declines-to-charge-2023-02-15/939052/278 "2021-04-11T18:54:46Z")
Is there anything to this “Monica Lewinsky is persona non grata among liberals” stuff or is that just stuff Republicans like saying to make themselves feel better? I have come across the occasional tweet from her rolling her eyes at today’s Goppers. She’s usually pretty timely, biting and funny. ---
**Author:** ![Kimstu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/ecd19e/32.png) [@Kimstu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kimstu)\ **Post date:** [April 11, 2021, 7:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/matt-gaetz-being-investigated-for-sex-with-17-year-old-girl-doj-declines-to-charge-2023-02-15/939052/279 "2021-04-11T19:34:04Z")
> [@Red\_Wiggler](#): > > Is there anything to this “Monica Lewinsky is persona non grata among liberals” stuff or is that just stuff Republicans like saying to make themselves feel better? She did an [interview with John Oliver in 2019](https://www.vanityfair.com/hollywood/2019/03/john-oliver-monica-lewinsky-interview-public-shaming-last-week-tonight), about public shaming and online harassment. Being on John Oliver’s show is not usually an indication that liberals are trying to distance themselves from you. ---
**Author:** ![What\_Exit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/what_exit/32/10652_2.png) [@What\_Exit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_Exit)\ **Post date:** [April 11, 2021, 8:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/matt-gaetz-being-investigated-for-sex-with-17-year-old-girl-doj-declines-to-charge-2023-02-15/939052/280 "2021-04-11T20:55:36Z")
**Modnote** : Do not insult other posters in P&E. Save that for the pit if you want. It appears two posts of yours violate this rule. > [@JohnT](#): > > A psycopath carrying water for evil. What a shock. _This is just a guidance, not a warning. Nothing on your permanent record._ ---
**Author:** ![What\_Exit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/what_exit/32/10652_2.png) [@What\_Exit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_Exit)\ **Post date:** [April 11, 2021, 9:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/matt-gaetz-being-investigated-for-sex-with-17-year-old-girl-doj-declines-to-charge-2023-02-15/939052/281 "2021-04-11T21:03:34Z")
**Modnote** : I’m surprised your hijack wasn’t reported. Drop the Cuomo stuff now. I’ll try to prevent further hijacks of this thread. You want to talk about Cuomo, there is already a thread for it. ---
**Author:** ![HMS\_Irruncible](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hms_irruncible/32/7394_2.png) [@HMS\_Irruncible](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HMS_Irruncible)\ **Post date:** [April 11, 2021, 9:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/matt-gaetz-being-investigated-for-sex-with-17-year-old-girl-doj-declines-to-charge-2023-02-15/939052/282 "2021-04-11T21:16:43Z")
> [@RitterSport](#): > > Gym Jordan, who knows a thing or two about sexual cover-ups, is supporting Gaetz: The sheer volume of sex scandals coming out of Trumpworld has really got me thinking: we wonder what made all these idiots turn heel and kowtow to Trump. Maybe it’s just all low-level sex crimes? There are theories about Russia, theories about the NRA, financial crimes and whatnot. I don’t doubt some of those are in play, perhaps in a big way, but I really wonder if every single Republican guy who did a sex crime looked at Trump and said “there’s a fellow traveler who will be amenable to some mutual back-scratching in regards to keeping the sex crimes active, yet quiet.” I wonder if that’s the case with all of them. Including Lindsey Graham, who I’m beginning to think is covering up nothing more pedestrian than some kind of hetero sex thing that threatens his interests in unclear ways. Maybe their scandal exposure is like 90% sex pecadillos and 9% real estate crimes and 1% international treason and espionage, rather than the more sophisticated and skilled stuff we’ve been suspecting. This would also be a really good reason to launch the Q conspiracy. Spread your pedo stories far and wide, so that by the time yours are exposed, nobody raises an eyebrow because it’s hold hat, and nobody’s sure what’s true anymore . [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/matt-gaetz-being-investigated-for-sex-with-17-year-old-girl-doj-declines-to-charge-2023-02-15/939052.md?page=13) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/matt-gaetz-being-investigated-for-sex-with-17-year-old-girl-doj-declines-to-charge-2023-02-15/939052.md?page=15)