In the realm of politics, U.S. Rep. Nancy Mace of South Carolina has earned a reputation for her ever-shifting positions, leading many to dub her a Grade A flip-flopper.
Her tendency to criticize Republican-backed bills only to ultimately vote in favor of them, along with her wavering stance on Donald Trump, has left many puzzled and struggling to keep up with her political allegiances.
Mace’s apparent allegiance to Trump was solidified during a recent ABC’s “This Week” appearance with George Stephanopoulos. Stephanopoulos posed a pertinent question about Mace’s support for a presidential candidate who had been found liable for sexual abuse, referring to Trump’s legal battles with writer E. Jean Carroll.
Nancy Mace (Credits: CNN)
Carroll is one of many women who have accused Trump of sexual misconduct over the years. Despite being a victim of sexual assault herself, Mace endorsed Trump earlier this year.
Stephanopoulos’ question struck at the heart of a critical issue, but Mace seemed reluctant to engage with it directly. She attempted to deflect by arguing that the verdict against Trump was in a civil, not criminal, court.
This response appeared to be a way of avoiding the uncomfortable truth about her support for someone accused of such serious offenses.
Mace also repeatedly accused Stephanopoulos of attempting to “shame” her for her political choices as a rape victim. This tactic, while emotionally charged, did little to address the underlying issue. In fact, it seemed to be a way of avoiding accountability for her support of Trump, despite his troubling history with women.
Nancy Mace (Credits: The Hill)
What makes Mace’s support of Trump particularly baffling is her track record as an advocate for women’s issues. She has been vocal about her party needing to improve its stance on women’s rights and has shared her own experience as a rape survivor to push for exceptions for rape and incest in abortion bans.
However, by supporting Trump, who has a well-documented history of disrespecting women, Mace has undermined her own advocacy efforts.
Understandably, Mace’s experience as a survivor of sexual assault would shape her views and political choices. However, as an elected official, she is accountable to her constituents and must be prepared to defend her positions, mainly when they contradict her stated values.
Ultimately, Mace’s unwillingness to directly address the question about her support for Trump speaks volumes. It suggests a willingness to prioritize political expediency over principles, undermining her credibility as an advocate for women and survivors of sexual assault.
