SANDOVAL: This Woke Talking Point Could Kill Republicans’ Momentum

A suggestion for Republican lawmakers: if your statement could be confused for a Gloria Steinem quote, it’s time to lay off the gender theory. 

Congresswoman Nancy Mace of South Carolina posted a video on X of a contentious conversation between herself and a constituent, in which she later recalled feeling “threatened” and “harassed.” The video begins mid-confrontation. 

Some unhinged lunatic, a man, wearing daisy dukes, at a makeup store, got in my face today. Dems are nuts. So I went off – and I won’t be backing down.

I hold the line 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year.

Try me. pic.twitter.com/Uv181Ovys0

— Nancy Mace (@NancyMace) April 19, 2025

“I do them every year,” Mace says, in reference to town halls. 

“I asked if you’re doing any more this year, it was one simple question,” the man says. The back-and-forth escalates before Mace dismisses the man. 

“Get out of my face,” Mace says as the man walks away. “Goodbye. F— you.” 

“You’re going to be voted out so fast this year,” returns the man. 

“I’m not, I’m not, I won by so much,” Mace replies. 

There’s plenty here to make Democrats and Republicans alike recoil. Neither Mace nor the man appear in a particularly flattering light, hurling vulgarities and insults at one another like middle schoolers — but Mace is an elected representative. One would hope she would maintain slightly more decorum, even or especially when approached by angry constituents. (RELATED: ‘I Am A Grown Woman!’: Nancy Mace, Dem Rep Face Off In Congressional Screaming Match | The Daily Caller) 

Republican Sen. Jim Banks of Indiana managed a cooler composure when confronted by a man who identified himself as a fired Health and Human Services (HHS) employee.

“Are you going to do anything to stop what’s happening?” the man asked.

“You probably deserved it,” Banks replied. All this, without lapsing into swearing or shrill hysterics. (Granted, he does say the man seems “like a clown,” but, granted, the man does.) 

Mace is apparently confident in her conduct. So much so that she not only shared the confrontation on social media, but appeared on Sean Hannity to discuss the incident. 

Rep. @NancyMace (R-SC) discusses the now viral video of her heated store conversation with a man who is reportedly her constituent on @seanhannity. pic.twitter.com/E1LEcaAH3G

— Fox News (@FoxNews) April 22, 2025

“This guy approached me, and I will tell you, I felt threatened, I felt harassed … as someone who has experienced trauma in her life, and a lot of women will understand what I am talking about, when some guy gets in your face and approaches you in the aggressive manner that he did, and you feel like you’re in danger…” Mace told the FOX News host. 

Now is a strange moment to squander the mandate of the American people with contrived, smug TV spots. But why let good governance get in the way of positioning yourself a martyr for all womankind?

“I was the first member of Congress to say, ‘I’m going to hold the line for women and girls everywhere,’” continued Mace, claiming most of the ire directed towards her “stems from my position about protecting women and girls in private spaces.” A worthy cause, to be sure, though perhaps one better taken up by a woman without a history of proudly invading all male spaces. Mace was the first female cadet to graduate from The Citadel Corps of Cadets, a feat which she has bragged about at length. 13% of graduates were female as of 2024, according to The Citadel magazine.

“We’ve shattered glass ceilings,” writes Mace on X. A striking choice of metaphor on Mace’s part — it is always easier to destroy than to build something yourself.

🌸 Celebrating #WomensHistoryMonth! As the first women to graduate from The Citadel Corps of Cadets, we’ve shattered glass ceilings.

From championing women’s rights, advocating for contraception, to safeguarding women’s sports, we salute women everywhere! pic.twitter.com/2ZLXeasdtB

— Rep. Nancy Mace (@RepNancyMace) March 4, 2024

One wonders: Would a male graduate of The Citadel feel compelled to frame a confrontation in terms of his own trauma? 

This isn’t the first time GOP lawmakers have trotted out feminist talking points. 

Republican Florida Rep. Anna Paulina Luna partnered with Democrats to push legislation which would permit remote voting for new parents, that is, proxy voting, in the U.S. House. The measure was spearheaded by Democratic Rep. Brittany Pettersen of Colorado. Pettersen appeared on the House Floor with her nine-week-old son to defend the bill. (RELATED: ROOKE: Republicans Sabotaged By Their Own Feminist Infiltrators, Again)

“It is unfathomable that in 2025 we have not modernized Congress to address these very unique challenges that members face,” Pettersen said. She thanked Paulina Luna for her support and called the in-person voting requirements “anti-woman” and “anti-family.” 

Still, Paulina Luna moved to block GOP efforts to kill the proxy voting bill.

Beware of the feminist in “conservative” clothing.

Follow Natalie Sandoval on X: @NatalieIrene03