Nancy Mace Says Rift With Trump May Have Ended Her Political Career
Rep. Nancy Mace (R-S.C.) says her public break with President Donald Trump may have permanently damaged her political future, acknowledging that the fallout could have brought her elected career to an end.
Mace made the remarks Monday during an appearance on NewsNation with host Chris Cuomo, where she was asked about her next move following the death of Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) and the race to fill his vacant Senate seat.
The comments come just weeks after Mace suffered a disappointing finish in South Carolina’s Republican gubernatorial primary, where she placed fifth after Trump endorsed Lt. Gov. Pamela Evette instead of her campaign.
Epstein files became a flashpoint
Mace’s latest split with Trump centered on the release of files related to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
Last year, Mace joined a small group of House Republicans in signing a discharge petition that forced a vote on legislation requiring the Department of Justice to release its Epstein files. The law directed the DOJ to make the records public with only victims’ identities redacted.
Congress ultimately approved the measure, and Trump signed it into law. The president had the authority to release the files administratively but instead signed the legislation after it passed both chambers.
The issue became the latest chapter in Mace’s often complicated relationship with Trump, which has shifted between alliance and public disagreement over the years.
Trump backed a rival
The political fallout became evident during South Carolina’s gubernatorial race.
In May, Trump declined to endorse Mace and instead threw his support behind Evette in the crowded Republican primary. One month later, Mace finished fifth in the race.
She has already announced she will not seek another term in the House when her current term expires in January.
Senate race questions remain
During Monday’s interview, Cuomo pressed Mace on whether she plans to run in the special election created by Graham’s death.
Earlier in the day, South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster appointed Graham’s sister, Darline Graham Nordone, to serve the remainder of his Senate term until January. Voters will choose the Republican nominee in a special election on Aug. 11, with the winner advancing to face Democratic nominee Annie Andrews in the general election.
When Cuomo asked directly whether she intended to enter the race, Mace declined to give a clear answer.
“My focus right now is focusing on South Carolina,” she said.
Cuomo then suggested that Mace’s disagreement with Trump over the Epstein files could complicate any Senate campaign.
“But could that be enough to ruin your chances?” he asked.
Mace did not dismiss the possibility.
“It may have ended my political career, Chris,” she replied.
“You said it,” Cuomo responded.
‘I got my butt beat’
Mace said she has built her political identity by criticizing members of both parties when she believes they deserve it.
“I enjoy calling out Democrats and Republicans alike,” she said.
She also acknowledged the reality of her recent electoral defeat.
“I got my butt beat in the governor’s race, OK?” Mace said. “So, you know, those are all things that you sort of weigh.”
Future remains uncertain
Although Mace stopped short of announcing whether she will enter South Carolina’s Senate special election, her remarks highlighted the uncertainty surrounding her political future.
Once viewed as one of the state’s rising Republican stars, Mace now faces difficult questions after her gubernatorial defeat and high-profile split with Trump. Whether she seeks another office or steps away from electoral politics altogether remains an open question.
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