The damage was done. That’s all that mattered.
Yes, they are not done with Gaetz, I expect. Anything he does now, or if/when he runs for office in the future, will be reported with the opening line that “... he was once investigated for several charges, including sex trafficking.....” with nothing said to indicate that he was exonerated.
That is all they need in this day and age. Then, per the MSM, they can all start their stories with “.... according to reports.....”.
If the public ever wakes up to this manipulation, we might have a chance.