George Stephanopoulos and Representative Nancy Mace engaged in a heated 10-minute debate on Sunday regarding Mace’s support for former President Donald Trump, despite two civil juries finding him liable for rape.
The intense exchange took place on ABC’s This Week, beginning with Stephanopoulos playing a clip of Mace’s testimony in the South Carolina legislature, where she disclosed being a rape survivor.
Pointing to the jury findings, Stephanopoulos challenged Mace on her endorsement of Trump. Mace, expressing indignation, revealed her personal experience of rape at 16 and criticized the attempt to shame her for her political choices.
Stephanopoulos pressed on, emphasizing the jury’s verdicts on Trump’s liability for rape and defamation. Mace defended her stance, highlighting the civil nature of the cases and accusing Stephanopoulos of attempting to shame her as a rape survivor.
The congresswoman criticized the victim, E. Jean Carroll, and her post-verdict remarks, claiming they undermine the credibility of rape accusations. Stephanopoulos argued that such behavior discourages other victims from coming forward.
The debate intensified as Stephanopoulos questioned Mace’s support for a man found liable for rape by two juries. Mace, feeling offended and repeatedly emphasizing the civil nature of the judgments, accused Stephanopoulos of being disrespectful to rape survivors.
The discussion further escalated when Mace accused Stephanopoulos of being offensive to rape survivors and defended her distinction between civil and criminal judgments. Stephanopoulos maintained his position, leaving the verdict to the viewers.
“I was raped at the age of 16,” Mace said. “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. And it’s a shame that you will never feel, George. And I’m not going to sit here on your show and be asked a question meant to shame me about another, potential rape victim.”
“It’s actually not about shaming you,” Stephanopoulos said.
“No you are shaming me!” Mace replied.
“You’ve endorsed Donald Trump for president,” Stephanopoulos said. “Donald Trump has been found liable for rape by a jury. Donald Trump has been found liable for defaming the victim of that rape by a jury. It’s been affirmed by a judge.”
“It’s not a criminal court case, number one,” Mace said. “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.”
The congresswoman went on to attack E. Jean Carroll — the victim of the rape for which Trump was held liable.
“Quite frankly, E. Jean Carroll’s comments when she did get the judgment, joking about what she was going to buy, it makes it harder for women to come forward when they make a mockery out of rape,” Mace said. “When they joke about it.”
“Women won’t come forward because they’re defamed by those who perpetrate rape,” Stephanopoulos said.
The two continued to battle — with Mace taking offense in Stephanopoulos asking why she is supporting a man found by two juries to be liable of rape.
“As a rape victim who’s been shamed for years now because of her rape, you’re trying to shame me again by asking me this political question,” Mace said.
“You’ve repeated that again, and again, and again,” Stephanopouos said.
“It’s offensive!” Mace shot back.
