In August, Passow told The Intercept that Coleman slapped and choked her without her consent in a hot tub. While Coleman admitted in the statement to having abused his ex, he simultaneously argued that alcohol might have had an impact on Passow’s exact recollection of events — possibly pioneering a new brand of gaslighting in the process.

“While it is true I was abusive to my ex-girlfriend, I do not agree with the characterization being made about our experience in the hot tub the day after Christmas,” Coleman wrote in the statement. “I did not choke her. I also don’t think she is intentionally lying, as I know large quantities of alcohol could be affecting both of our memories.”

Coleman has previously confirmed claims published by the New York Times that he circulated revenge porn of a 13-year-old girl seven years ago, and that called a sixth-grade girl fat and told her she should kill herself.

Maddeningly, Coleman also used his statement as an opportunity to pivot seamlessly between confirming allegations of abuse to touting his own policy platform.

“We must strive to create a society safe for women, which we currently do not do ... additionally, we must ” he wrote. This kid has learned from the best. The future of politically mendacious sociopaths is bright.