Mace Clashes with Stephanopoulos Over Trump Support, Rape Survivor Status

Clear Facts

• Republican South Carolina Rep. Nancy Mace had a heated exchange with ABC’s George Stephanopoulos regarding her political choices as a rape survivor.
• Mace criticized Stephanopoulos for attempting to “shame” her over her support for former President Donald Trump, who has faced a civil case from writer E. Jean Carroll, who accused him of sexual assault.
• Carroll was awarded $83.3 million in damages after suing Trump for defamation, but Mace argued that Carroll’s comments about spending the awarded money made a “mockery out of rape.”

In a recent episode of ABC’s “This Week,” Republican South Carolina Representative Nancy Mace clashed with host George Stephanopoulos over her political decisions as a rape survivor. The conversation revolved around Mace’s support for former President Donald Trump, who has been involved in a civil case with writer E. Jean Carroll, who alleged that Trump sexually assaulted her.

Stephanopoulos questioned how Mace, as a rape survivor, could support Trump. Mace immediately challenged his line of questioning. She pointed out that Carroll’s case against Trump was decided in a civil court and highlighted Carroll’s comments about planning a shopping spree with her awarded money, calling it a “mockery out of rape.”

“You’ve endorsed Donald Trump for president. Judges and two separate juries have found him liable for rape and for defaming the victim of that rape. How do you square your support for Donald Trump with the testimony we just saw?” Stephanopoulos asked.

“I will tell you that I was raped at the age of 16, and any rape victim will tell you I’ve lived for 30 years with an incredible amount of shame. I didn’t come forward because of that judgment and shame that I felt, and it’s a shame that you will never feel, George. I’m not going to sit here on your show and be asked a question meant to shame me about another potential rape victim. I’m not going to do that,” Mace responded.

Stephanopoulos argued that his question was about Trump, not intended to shame Mace. He continued to press on the issue, stating that Trump had been found liable for rape and defamation by a jury, a decision affirmed by a judge.

Mace retorted, “It was not a criminal court case, number one. Number two, I live with shame, and you’re asking me a question about my political choices trying to shame me as a rape victim and I find it disgusting. And quite frankly, E. Jean Carroll’s comments, when she did get the judgment joking about what she was going to buy, it doesn’t — it makes it harder for women to come forward when they make a mockery out of rape. When they joke about it. It’s not okay.”

Stephanopoulos questioned whether defamatory statements by presidential candidates made it harder for women to come forward, to which Mace responded, “It makes it harder when other women joke about it. And she’s joked about it. I find it offensive.”

As the conversation continued, Stephanopoulos maintained his stance that Trump was found guilty of raping Carroll, even asking a producer to pull up a headline from the Washington Post. Mace, however, held her ground, stating, “And what you’ve done is offensive to women who have been raped. What you’ve done this morning is offensive.”

Carroll was awarded a total of $83.3 million in late January in damages after suing Trump for defamation, which resulted in two separate lawsuits. Despite this, Carroll stated in June 2019 that she does not consider herself a victim and that she had “not been raped,” following the release of her book that claimed Trump had sexually assaulted her.

Clear Thoughts (op-ed)

In a recent interview with ABC’s George Stephanopoulos, Rep. Nancy Mace faced a line of questioning that attempted to shame her for her support of former President Donald Trump. As a rape survivor, Mace rightfully defended her political choices and challenged the narrative that was being pushed.

Stephanopoulos’ insistence on trying to discredit Mace’s support for Trump by bringing up her traumatic past was tasteless and inappropriate. Mace’s powerful response shed light on the challenges rape survivors face in coming forward, and the shame they often carry with them.

Furthermore, Mace highlighted the mockery made out of rape by E. Jean Carroll’s comments about her awarded money. This type of behavior does a disservice to all survivors and makes it even more difficult for women to come forward.

It’s important that our political discourse remains respectful and focused on the issues at hand, rather than attempting to shame individuals for their personal experiences. Mace’s unwavering stance in the face of such questioning is commendable and serves as a reminder that survivors should never be used as political pawns.

Let us know what you think, please share your thoughts in the comments below.

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