Nancy Mace Blames Trump For ‘Ending’ Her ‘Political Career’

Another Republican lawmaker who lost a primary race earlier this summer appears to be blaming it on President Donald Trump.

But in reality, Rep. Nancy Mace may have only herself to blame.

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Mace (R-S.C.) said her break with President Trump could mark the end of her political career after, as she put it, she “got my butt beat” in South Carolina’s Republican gubernatorial primary.

Last year, Mace was among a small group of House Republicans who signed a discharge petition to force a vote on legislation requiring the Department of Justice to release its files on convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, with victims’ names redacted.

The measure ultimately passed both the House and Senate, and Trump signed it into law, though he also had the authority to direct the release of the records without congressional action.

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Also, these same Republicans – along with all other Democrats – had zero interest in the files during President Joe Biden’s administration or during Trump’s first term.

During the South Carolina governor’s race, Trump declined to back Mace, instead endorsing Lt. Gov. Pamela Evette in May. Mace went on to finish fifth in the Republican primary the following month.

Mace, who is set to leave Congress when her term ends in January, appeared on NewsNation Monday night, where host Chris Cuomo asked whether she planned to run in the special election to succeed the late Sen. Lindsey Graham, who died suddenly on Saturday night.

On Monday, South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster appointed Graham’s sister, Darline Graham Nordone, to serve the remainder of his term, which expires in January.

Republicans will choose their nominee in an Aug. 11 special primary, with the winner advancing to face Democratic nominee Annie Andrews, a physician, in the general election.

“Will you run in the special election?” Cuomo asked.

But Mace sidestepped the question, stating, “My focus right now is focusing on South Carolina.”

Cuomo went on to praise Mace for her “righteous break” with Trump over the Epstein files – despite the fact that Trump agreed to sign the legislation authorizing their release.

He then noted that the break could cost her any future shot at office, at least for now.

“But could that be enough to ruin your chances?” he asked.

“It may have ended my political career, Chris,” Mace replied.

“You said it,” the host responded.

Mace said she has no problem “calling out Democrats and Republicans alike.”

But she added, “I got my butt beat in the governor’s race, ok? So, you know, those are all things that you sort of weigh.”

Months after Turning Point USA founder Charlie Kirk was fatally shot during a campus event at Utah Valley University in Provo, Utah, Republican lawmakers introduced legislation to rename a well-known street in Washington, D.C., in his honor.

Mace led the way by introducing a bill in December that would designate a prominent street in the nation’s capital with Kirk’s name.

The street previously honored the radical left Black Lives Matter group and was created in 2020.

After President Trump took office in January 2025, the street lettering was removed.

Mace’s proposal would replace the prior designation with the name “Charlie Kirk Freedom of Speech Plaza.”

Supporters of the measure say Kirk was widely known for his campus events, where he frequently engaged in political debate and public discussion.

In a statement, Mace highlighted his work and addressed the circumstances of his killing, calling the attack “heinous” while urging that his contributions be formally recognized.

“Three months ago, we lost a champion of free speech and a voice for millions of young Americans,” Mace said.

“Charlie Kirk’s assassination was an attack not just on one man, but on the fundamental American principle declaring every citizen has the right to speak freely and engage in civic discourse,” she added.

“By designating this plaza in the heart of our nation’s capital, we ensure Charlie’s legacy and his unwavering commitment to the First Amendment will never be forgotten,” she continued.