A heated online exchange between Republican Rep. Nancy Mace and Fox News host Trey Gowdy shocked the political world this week, culminating in a series of personal jabs and increasing tensions within the Republican Party. .
It all started when Gordy said this on X (ex-Twitter) to criticize Mace: ? ” Mace quickly shot back, saying, Sit down with your hips down. ”
But the quarrel didn’t end there. Mace further escalated the conflict by sharing an old photo of Gordy from his time in Congress with the caption, “Which bathroom do you think Trey Gordy uses?” The comment appeared to denigrate not only Gordy but her opposition to transgender rights, an issue that has repeatedly surfaced in her politics.
Mace’s comments seemed to echo her criticism of incoming transgender Congresswoman Sarah McBride. He made history as the first openly transgender state senator in the United States. McBride is a passionate advocate for transgender rights, particularly using the Capitol bathroom that aligns with her gender identity. The topic has sparked controversy among some Republicans.
The conflict with Gordy wasn’t the only fallout Mace faced this week. Wesley Donehue, a South Carolina-based political consultant, said he severed ties with Mace several months ago, citing Mace’s actions as a reason. “I fired Nancy Mace as a client because I am a political consultant, not a babysitter or sex therapist,” Donehue wrote. He went on to call Mace’s actions “selfish” and described her comments as “childish attacks.”
Adding fuel to the fire, Mace’s former communications director Natalie Johnson posted on Fox News an old video of Mace enthusiastically praising Gordy. At the time, Mace called herself a “huge fangirl” of Gordy. Mr Johnson’s comment that “it’s hard to be a sycophant” suggested a deepening rift within Mace’s political network.
This personal drama comes at a particularly difficult time for the Republican Party. Republicans are currently embroiled in infighting as they struggle to agree on a government funding bill. Just recently, a Republican-backed spending plan backed by Donald Trump and Elon Musk was rejected by the House of Representatives by a vote of 174-235. The bill, which calls for raising the debt ceiling by 2027, is opposed by all Democrats on the floor and 38 House Republicans, further revealing ongoing divisions within the Republican Party.
