South Carolina Republican Congresswoman Nancy Mace has once again escalated her attacks on transgender Americans, this time by explicitly branding herself a “proud transphobe” and dismissing gender identity as “mental illness.” The back-to-back tweets, posted on July 29 and 31, mark a stunning and dangerous embrace of anti-trans extremism by a sitting member of Congress.
In response to a story by The Advocate criticizing her past anti-trans rhetoric, Mace tweeted:
“FALSE: I am not quitting Congress.
TRUE: Proud transphobe.”
Just days later, she responded to a quote from The New Republic calling her the “most prominent transphobe in American politics” with:
“We approve of this message.
Your mental illness is not our reality.”
The remark, effectively dismissing the existence and validity of transgender people, sparked immediate backlash from LGBTQ+ advocacy organizations and allies across the country.
From Performative Moderate to Far-Right Extremist
Just a few years ago, Mace projected herself as a moderate Republican with libertarian leanings. In 2021, she even voiced support for LGBTQ rights, saying equality and religious liberty could coexist. But since then, her tone has changed dramatically.
Her shift became public and unmistakable in early 2025, when she repeatedly used the slur “tranny” during a House Oversight hearing, nine times in total, ignoring colleagues who urged her to stop. She later brushed off criticism by saying, “I don’t really care.”
A Legislative Agenda Built on Exclusion
Beyond the rhetoric, Mace has backed her words with policy. She introduced the Protecting Women’s Private Spaces Act, which would bar transgender individuals from using bathrooms or facilities aligned with their gender identity in all federal buildings.
Her political messaging has repeatedly targeted Rep. Sarah McBride (D-DE), the first openly transgender member of Congress. Her proposed bill would prevent McBride and others from using the women’s facilities in the very building where they work.
In April, Mace again stirred controversy when a transgender college student confronted her at a campus event. Instead of engaging respectfully, she posted a video mocking the student, misgendering them in the caption, and reiterating the slur she’d used in Congress.
Public Embrace of Hate
Mace’s recent tweets remove any ambiguity about where she stands. By proudly labeling herself a “transphobe” and referring to trans identity as “mental illness,” she’s aligning with the most dangerous elements of the far-right culture war.
Rather than dog whistles, these are now bullhorns, clear signals to voters that bigotry isn’t just tolerated, it’s central to her brand.
The Bottom Line
For transgender Americans and their families, these comments are more than offensive; they’re threatening. When elected officials use their platforms to dehumanize, it not only legitimizes violence and discrimination, it accelerates it.
Mace’s statements should not be dismissed as trolling or political theater. They are part of a deliberate effort to erase, invalidate, and criminalize trans lives, and they must be met with resistance, solidarity, and truth.
Hate should never be a badge of honor. But for Nancy Mace, it’s now the centerpiece of her platform.
