In a recent appearance with George Stephanopoulos on ABC’s “This Week,” Representative Nancy Mace (R-S.C.) got into a heated argument about her support of former President Donald Trump. When Stephanopoulos brought up court rulings against Trump including rape and defamation accusations, the discussion turned heated. He questioned Mace about how she could reconcile her backing of Trump with these decisions.
In response, Mace revealed a personal insight into her experience as a survivor of sexual assault and expressed unease with the line of inquiry. She said, “Any rape victim will tell you, I’ve lived for 30 years with an incredible amount of shame for being raped,” criticizing the attempt to connect her political backing with her personal pain. I felt so ashamed and judged that I chose not to come forward. George, it’s a shame you will never experience this.”
To be clear, Stephanopoulos did not mean to embarrass Mace; rather, the question was meant to address the accusations made against Trump. Nonetheless, Mace insisted that the question was improper, highlighting her belief that E. Jean Carroll’s post-verdict comments—in which Carroll jokingly talked about her plans for the money she had been awarded—undermine the gravity of rape allegations and discourage other survivors from coming forward.
Earlier this year, Mace supported Trump for president. In the interview, she expressed her opinion that other parts of political conversation shouldn’t be subordinated to the media’s attention on Trump’s legal issues, such as the defamation lawsuit filed by E. Jean Carroll. Former writer Carroll had accused Trump in the 1990s of raping her in a department store dressing room; Trump has refuted the claim.
The conversation brought to light the intricate relationships that exist between political endorsements, individual trauma experiences, and the public conversation about claims of sexual misconduct against public individuals. The controversy and sensitivity surrounding discussions about Trump’s behavior and the wider ramifications for electoral support within the Republican Party are highlighted by Mace’s backlash against Stephanopoulos.