Nikki Fried, who is seeking the Democratic nomination to challenge Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, confounded the internet when she wrote on social media that she has no sex tape.

“It’s absurd that I have to dignify this, but there is no sex tape,” Fried tweeted Friday without any context or clarification. “Sorry to disappoint. Also sorry basically every successful woman has to deal with these types of rumors.”

The statement was displayed prominently on her campaign website Friday, but appeared to have been taken down as of late Saturday.

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While Fried declined to discuss the matter further in public, a campaign source told the Washington Times that the gubernatorial hopeful made the statement in order to put “old rumors” that began circulating during her time in Tallahassee, where she worked as a lawyer and a lobbyist, to rest.

“She wanted to clear it up for anyone who had gotten wind of this new rumor,” the source told the outlet.

Reps for the Florida Democrat did not immediately respond to the Washington Examiner’s request for comment.

Twitter users quickly began making comparisons between Fried and actor Jussie Smollet, who was convicted for making a false report to police about an assault he staged.

“Going for the Jussie Smollette [sic] strategy,” reporter Jacob Airey tweeted.

“There’s also no allegations of a sex tape. No one is disappointed,” radio host Derek Hunter tweeted. ” Just like your ‘press conferences,’ no one would want to see it if were real. This is a pathetic attempt to get publicity, even for her.”

Earlier this week, comparison photos of DeSantis’ press conference alongside Fried’s swirled across Twitter. The encampment of journalists there to cover the Democratic candidate were significantly fewer than that of the incumbent’s. Fried canceled later campaign stops across Florida due to an unconfirmed presence of protesters.

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Fried is competing to challenge DeSantis against Rep. Charlie Crist, a pro-life Democrat who served as the Sunshine State’s governor from 2007-2011. The primary election falls on Aug 23.

Original Location: Florida Democrat draws Jussie Smollett comparison over sex tape ‘allegations’

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