Rep. Nancy Mace (R-SC) became very upset when questioned by George Stephanopoulos about how she, as a survivor of a sexual assault, could back Donald Trump.
The complete transcript of the conversation is valuable for understanding how Rep. Mace addressed the question.
Video:
Transcript provided by ABC’s This Week:
STEPHANOPOULOS: Congresswoman, thank you for being here this morning.
You publicly supported Donald Trump for president. Two different juries have ruled that he is responsible for a sexual assault and for slandering the victim of that assault. How do you reconcile your support for Donald Trump with the recent testimony? Trump MACE: Well, let me say, I was sexually assaulted at 16, and any survivor of sexual assault will tell you, I have carried an overwhelming amount of shame for 30 years because of what happened to me. I didn't come forward because of that shame and judgment I felt.
It’s a type of shame that you will never experience, George, and I refuse to sit here on your show and be asked a question that is intended to shame me regarding another potential sexual assault victim. I won't do that.
STEPHANOPOULOS: This is not about shaming you. It's about Donald Trump.
MACE: No, you are shaming me.
STEPHANOPOULOS: You have endorsed Donald Trump for president.
MACE: Yes.
STEPHANOPOULOS: Donald Trump has been found responsible for sexual assault by a jury. Donald Trump has been found responsible for slandering the victim of that assault by a jury. It has been confirmed by a judge. He repeated –
MACE: It's not a criminal court case, first of all. Second, I live with shame, and you're asking me a question about my political choices and trying to shame me as a sexual assault survivor, and I find that repulsive.
And frankly, E. Jean Carroll’s remarks when she did receive the ruling, joking about what she would buy, it makes it tougher for women to come forward when they trivialize sexual assault, when they make jokes about it. It's not okay.
STEPHANOPOULOS: Does it not make it more difficult for women to come forward when they are slandered by presidential candidates?
MACE: It does make it more difficult when other women make jokes about it and she has joked about it. I find it offensive. And I also find it offensive that you are attempting to shame me with this question.
STEPHANOPOULOS: I'm not attempting to shame you at all. In reality –
MACE: You are. I have grappled with this for 30 years. Do you know how difficult it was to recount my story five years ago when they were debating a fetal heartbeat bill, and there were no exceptions for sexual assault, incest, or life – or – and – sexual assault or incest? I had to share my story because no other woman was coming forward.
STEPHANOPOULOS: I'm simply inquiring –
MACE: No survivors of sexual assault were being represented. And you are trying to shame me this morning.
STEPHANOPOULOS: I'm just asking you –
MACE: And I find it offensive. This is why women do not come forward.
STEPHANOPOULOS: Women do not come forward because they are slandered by those who commit sexual assault. Donald Trump has been –
MACE: They are judged, and they're shamed, and you're trying to shame me this morning. I think it's revolting.
STEPHANOPOULOS: I'm – I'm not – I'm not shaming you at all. I called you brave.
Stephanopoulos asked Rep, Mace a reasonable question. He wanted to understand the reasoning behind why she, as a rape victim, is endorsing Donald Trump, and Mace attempted to argue that she was being shamed.
Mace also criticized another rape victim and appeared to suggest that judgments about rape in civil court somehow hold less weight, as the only decisions that count take place in criminal court.
George Stephanopoulos didn't shame Nancy Mace, but Rep. Mace did criticize E. Jean Carroll, and downplay what happened to her.
Rape is rape regardless of whether that conclusion is reached in civil or criminal court. The truth is that a man who has been found responsible for raping a woman should not be President Of The United States.
Nancy Mace is an elected member of Congress, so her decision-making process should be open to inquiries. Stephanopoulos wasn't attacking or shaming Rep. Mace. He was seeking insight into her thinking, and what he received was a glimpse of a insensitive and calculating person who seemed more focused on attracting attention and creating a viral moment for herself than offering genuine insight into her decisions.
Rep. Nancy Mace (R-SC) became defensive when asked by George Stephanopoulos to explain how she, as a rape victim, supports Donald Trump.
