Nancy Mace accuses ABC host of trying to 'shame' her for supporting Donald Trump as a rape survivor

WASHINGTON — Rep. Nancy Mace, R-S.C., repeatedly accused ABC host George Stephanopoulos in an interview on Sunday of trying to “shame” her for supporting former President Donald Trump while also being a survivor of sexual assault.

The heated exchange began when Stephanopoulos asked Mace how she squares her endorsement of Trump with the fact that the former president was found liable of sexual abuse and defamation of writer E. Jean Carroll.

“I will tell you, I was raped at the age of 16," Mace responded on Sunday. "And any rape victim will tell you, I've lived for 30 years with an incredible amount of shame over being raped. I didn't come forward because of that judgment and shame that I felt.”

She added, “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.”

Stephanopoulos pushed back, saying his question was not about shaming her, but instead about Carroll's civil trial against Trump. However, Mace continued criticizing the anchor.

“You're asking me a question about my political choices trying to shame me as a rape victim, and I find it disgusting,” Mace said.

The South Carolina lawmaker also argued that the decision against Trump was made in a civil case, not a criminal one, though Trump was still found liable by a jury. She also criticized comments Carroll has made about the case and its result.

In January, Trump was ordered to pay Carroll $83.3 million for defaming her in 2019. He appealed the decision earlier this month.

Carroll on Sunday thanked Stephanopoulos in a post on X, formerly Twitter, for "valiantly defending me." The columnist added that she wishes Mace well and respects "all survivors for their strength, endurance, and holding on to their sanity."

If you are a survivor of sexual assault, RAINN offers support through the National Sexual Assault Hotline (800.656.HOPE & online.rainn.org). 

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Mace accuses Stephanopoulos of shaming her for supporting Trump