'You used to know better': Nancy Mace slammed as she throws weight behind Donald Trump over Nikki Haley in South Carolina GOP showdown

COLUMBIA, SOUTH CAROLINA: Rep Nancy Mace (R-SC) has announced her endorsement of former President Donald Trump over Nikki Haley as the South Carolina Republican gears up for the New Hampshire primaries.

Mace, a congresswoman who stirred controversy within the House GOP by voting to oust Kevin McCarthy as House speaker last year, spoke to The Associated Press about her decision. "I don’t see eye to eye perfectly with any candidate. And until now I’ve stayed out of it, but the time has come to unite behind our nominee," she told the outlet.

Backing Trump in 2024

Further elaborating on her endorsement, Mace spoke to Fox News, expressing her formal support for Trump in the 2024 race. In a statement emailed on Monday, she declared, "Today I’m endorsing Donald J. Trump for President. To be honest, it’s been a complete sh** show since he left the White House. Our country needs to reverse all the damage Joe Biden has done."

Mace passionately asserted her belief that the nation prospered under Trump's leadership, citing a booming economy, secure borders, and heightened national security.

"By every barometer our lives and our nation were better under President Trump. The economy was booming, our border was locked down and our nation and her allies were safer because our adversaries feared him. Donald Trump’s record in his first term should tell every American how vital it is he be returned to office," she added.

The endorsement marks a notable shift for Mace, who, just two years ago, found herself aligned with Nikki Haley in a congressional primary that tested Trump's influence in South Carolina.

After the Jan 6, 2021, Capitol riot, Mace, who had recently been sworn in as a freshman lawmaker, criticized Trump on TV, claiming the president's accomplishments were "wiped out in just a few short hours." In response, Trump referred to Mace as "an absolutely terrible candidate" and sought alternatives to run against her and other House Republicans.

Despite their past clashes, Mace received Trump's endorsement in her 2020 run and found herself in another contentious primary against Katie Arrington, who had Trump's "complete and total endorsement," in 2022. Trump, during a pre-primary rally in South Carolina, referred to Mace as "crazy" and "a terrible person."

Haley, on the other hand, continued to support Mace, helping raise funds and featuring in a television ad where she praised Mace as a "fighter."

However, the dynamic between Mace and Haley seems to have shifted since last year, when Mace's name was floated as a potential running mate for Trump. The two reportedly haven't spoken since then, signifying a strained relationship between the former allies.

Social media uproar

While Mace's endorsement may boost Trump's standing in South Carolina, critics took to social media to slam the congresswoman for her decision.

"Wrong side of history, and you used to know better," one posted on X.

"Seriously? I’m old enough to remember you condemning Donald Trump," another wrote.

"Do you ever lie in bed at night wondering WTH you’ve done to yourself?" someone else added.

"I can’t wait for you and Trump to be gone from Washington. Neither of you deserve to be there," another chimed in.

With Florida Gov Ron DeSantis exiting the 2024 race, Haley has emerged as the primary GOP candidate challenging Trump. As New Hampshire gears up for its primaries on January 23, South Carolina's primary is a month away.

Trump appears to have secured significant backing from the state's Republican leadership, setting the stage for a politically charged showdown. Mace's endorsement solidifies Trump's support from four out of six Republican US House members in the state, leaving Rep Ralph Norman backing Haley, and Rep Jeff Duncan choosing not to endorse before the primary.