Internet backs Nancy Mace as she targets George Stephanopoulos in heated exchange over Trump support

WASHINGTON, DC: In a fiery exchange on ABC's 'This Week', Rep Nancy Mace, R-S.C, accused host George Stephanopoulos of attempting to 'shame' her for her endorsement of former President Donald Trump.

The interview, which aired on Sunday, March 10, quickly escalated as Stephanopoulos pressed Mace on her support for Trump despite allegations of rape against him.

Nancy Mace flips script on George Stephanopoulos

"You've endorsed Donald Trump for president," Stephanopoulos began. "Judges and two separate juries have found him liable for rape and for defaming the victim of that rape. How do you square your endorsement of Donald Trump with the testimony we just saw?" 

Mace, however, refused to back down, revealing her own experience as a survivor of abuse. "Well, I will tell you, I was raped at the age of 16," she said. "Any victim will tell you, I've lived for 30 years with an incredible amount of shame for being abused. I didn't come forward because of that judgment and shame that I felt."

"It's a shame that you will never feel, George," she continued. "I’m not going to sit here on your show and be asked a question meant to shame me about another potential victim," Mace said. "I’m not going to do that

Despite Stephanopoulos's insistence that the question was not meant to shame her, Mace stood her ground, refusing to engage further on the topic. "It's not a criminal court case, No 1," she retorted. "No 2, I live with shame. And you're asking me a question about my political choices trying to shame me as a victim and I find it disgusting." 

As the interview continued, Mace criticized the behavior of E Jean Carroll, the woman who accused Trump of raping her in the 1990s. Carroll's remarks on "The Rachel Maddow Show," where she joked about using potential compensation from the case for shopping sprees, drew condemnation from Mace, Fox News reported.

"And quite frankly, E Jean Carroll's comments when she did get the judgment," Mace continued, "joking about what she was going to buy, makes it harder for women to come forward when they make a mockery of rape. When they joke about it. It's not OK." 

"She’s joked about it," Mace said of Carroll's comments. "I find it offensive, and I also find it offensive that you are trying to shame me with this question." 

Mace was referring to Carroll's appearance on "The Rachel Maddow Show" in January, in which she said that she was going to go on a shopping spree with the money from her case with Trump. 

"Yes, Rachel! Yes!" Carroll exclaimed at the time. "I had such, such great ideas for all the good I'm going to do with this money."

"First thing, Rachel, you and I are going to go shopping!" she said. "We're going to get complete new wardrobes, new shoes, a motorcycle for [Carroll's attorney Shawn] Crowley, a new fishing rod for Robbie [Carroll's attorney Roberta Kaplan] — Rachel, what do you want? A penthouse? It's yours, Rachel! Penthouse and France? You want France? You want to go fishing in France? No?" she added.

Social media backlash

Social media erupted with criticism directed at Stephanopoulos, with many condemning his line of questioning towards Mace. 

"Disgusting! He should be ashamed," one posted on X.

"Unbelievable!! I’m so glad she told her story and was able to stand up to him," another wrote.

"I'm no fan of Nancy Mace, but Stephanopoulos extremely crossed a line here, and I'm shocked that none of his producers thought to stop this moment before it went on air," someone else added.

"That SOB has some nerve asking her that when he worked for Bill Clinton who has been credibly accused of rape and sexual harassment!" a comment read.

"He truly is a bully … Unprofessional obnoxious little man… Trying to stay relevant," another chimed in.