GOP candidate's nude photo defense draws biting reactions: 'Sounds pretty youthful'

A Trump-endorsed Tennessee Republican running for Congress is facing a wave of ridicule after dismissing past nude photos as “youthful indiscretions,” despite allegations that he sent an unsolicited photo when he was 53.

State Sen. Brent Taylor, the Republican nominee in Tennessee’s newly redrawn 9th Congressional District, acknowledged sending nude photos after multiple sources came forward to the Nashville Scene.

“As I near 60 years old, the expiration date has come and gone on any of my youthful indiscretions,” Taylor told the newspaper, adding that his wife had forgiven him.

But critics quickly seized on his explanation.

“Taylor was 53 when he allegedly sent photo,” wrote John Bresnahan, co-founder of Punchbowl News.

“He sent them when he was 53!!!” added journalist and podcast host Jane Coaston.

Progressive political strategist Drew Savicki sarcastically responded, “That sounds pretty youthful to me.”

Charles Uffelman, a Tennessee-based political strategist, suggested Taylor had created a convenient excuse for everyone.

“Will be referring to any mistake I make for the next 20 years a ‘youthful indiscretion,” he wrote Tuesday.

Veteran Tennessee investigative journalist Jamie Satterfield highlighted the Nashville Scene’s observation that the allegations conflict with Taylor’s image as a Christian family man and devoted husband.

She added in her X post that Taylor is who former Knox County mayor Glenn Jacobs and Rep. Tim Burchett (R-TN) “are urging you to vote for.”

“My God and my wife have forgiven me, and I would consider everyone else doing the same,” Taylor, who was endorsed by President Donald Trump earlier this year, told The Scene.

The controversy prompted a one-word reaction from journalist Chris Cillizza: "OOMPH"