Republican South Carolina Rep. Nancy Mace said rape is perceived as bad “unless you’re a Republican” following an explosive interview with ABC’s George Stephanopoulos.
Mace accused Stephanopoulos of “shaming” her as he pressed her on supporting former President Donald Trump during a Sunday interview on ABC’s “This Week.” He questioned Mace, who became a rape victim at the age of 16, how she could support Trump after being found liable of sexual battery in the case brought forth by former Elle Magazine writer E. Jean Carroll.
“That’s why women won’t come forward when they’re assaulted, is because of the judgement and the shame and here he was, judging me, bullying me and shaming me as a rape victim for my political choices. And it’s wrong but it’s almost like rape is bad unless you’re a Republican and then we’re gonna shame you for it,” Mace told Fox News’ Harris Faulkner during a Monday segment.
Mace further accused the political left of shaming rape victims like herself in an attempt to help President Joe Biden, whose approval ratings have remain at all-time lows throughout his presidency. (RELATED: CNN Host Defends Nancy Mace After Her Explosive Exchange With Stephanopoulos)
“And the way that the left reacted is just a reflection of how bad Joe Biden’s numbers are that this is what they do to rape survivors, to rape victims, to shame them for their political choices here,” Mace continued.
WASHINGTON, DC – OCTOBER 17: U.S. Rep. Nancy Mace (R-SC) arrives in the House chamber as the House of Representatives prepares to vote on a new Speaker of the House at the U.S. Capitol Building on October 17, 2023 in Washington, DC. The House has been without an elected leader since Rep. Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) was ousted from the speakership on October 4 in a move led by a small group of conservative members of his own party. (Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC – OCTOBER 18: U.S. Rep. Nancy Mace (R-SC) (L) talks to Rep. James Comer (R-KY) as the House of Representatives holds its second round of voting for a new Speaker of the House at the U.S. Capitol on October 18, 2023 in Washington, DC. House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jim Jordan (R-OH) failed in his bid to become Speaker of the House on Tuesday after all Democrats and 20 members of his own party declined to vote for him. The House has been without an elected leader since Rep. Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) was ousted from the speakership on October 4 in a move led by a small group of conservative members of his own party. (Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC – OCTOBER 11: U.S. Rep. Nancy Mace (R-SC) leaves a House Republican caucus meeting where the conference voted on a Speaker of House nominee in the Longworth House Office Building on October 11, 2023 in Washington, DC. The House Republicans nominated House Majority Leader Steve Scalise (R-LA) to replace recently ousted former Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-CA). (Photo by Win McNamee/Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC – OCTOBER 10: U.S. Rep. Nancy Mace (R-SC) talks to the media following a meeting of House Republicans hearing from members running for House speaker in the Longworth House Office Building on October 10, 2023 in Washington, DC. House Republicans are working to elect a new speaker after the House removed former Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) from his post on October 3. (Photo by Win McNamee/Getty Images)
The congresswoman said she did not agree to go on the program to talk about her personal experience and that she handled the conversation more calmly than she should have.
“I didn’t agree to any of that and he shares this speech I gave, this impassioned speech I gave five years ago, about telling my story for the first time. It’s very difficult for me to watch that speech,” Mace said. “It’s painful, and you can see it on my face. I was in dismay that this is where he was going with this. It was disgusting. I want to know what ABC’s female leadership, what do they think about what he did? I mean, they’ve got female presidents, what do they think about what he did yesterday?”
MANCHESTER, NEW HAMPSHIRE – FEBRUARY 07: (L-R) ABC network anchors and debate moderators David Muir, Linsey Davis and George Stephanopoulos speak on stage prior to the Democratic presidential primary debate in the Sullivan Arena at St. Anselm College on February 07, 2020 in Manchester, New Hampshire. Seven candidates qualified for the second Democratic presidential primary debate of 2020 which comes just days before the New Hampshire primary on February 11. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – SEPTEMBER 12: George Stephanopoulos with Arthur C. Brooks and Oprah Winfrey discuss “Build The Life You Want” at The 92nd Street Y, New York on September 12, 2023 in New York City. (Photo by Roy Rochlin/Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC – OCTOBER 3: U.S. Rep. Nancy Mace (R-SC) looks at her phone as she walks to the Capitol for a motion to vacate aimed at House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-CA), October 3, 2023 in Washington, DC. The House voted by simple majority to oust McCarthy as speaker, an effort led by a handful of conservative members of his own party, including Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-FL). (Photo by Drew Angerer/Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC – NOVEMBER 14: U.S. Rep. Nancy Mace (R-SC) walks to the House Chambers of the U.S. Capitol Building on November 14, 2023 in Washington, DC. The House of Representatives voted on a series of bills including an interim spending bill it passed to fund the government, which will now go to the Senate for consideration. (Photo by Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images)
Mace reportedly endorsed Trump for president over former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley ahead of the primary in both her and Haley’s home state. Mace said during her interview with Stephanopoulos that Carroll, who was awarded $83.3 million in a civil suit against Trump, made “a mockery of rape” by joking about going on a shopping spree with the money.
A jury did not find Trump liable of rape in the first case brought forth by Carroll, but did find him liable of defamation and sexual battery and awarded the defendant $5 million.