Rep. Nancy Mace Sparks Controversy with Comments on Cornell Sexual Assault Case
South Carolina Republican claims accuser was willing participant in a 'consensual gangbang,' drawing swift backlash.
Rep. Nancy Mace, R-S.C., has ignited a firestorm of controversy with remarks on social media regarding the sexual assault allegations against seven fraternity brothers at Cornell University. Mace stated on X, formerly Twitter, that a consensual sexual encounter, even if described as a "gangbang," does not constitute rape. Her post has garnered over 1.3 million views since being published late Thursday.
Mace's comments come approximately 18 months after she herself came forward with allegations of being drugged and raped by her ex-boyfriend and his associates. "IDK who needs to hear this, but a consensual gangbang is not a rape," she wrote.
The debate surrounding the Cornell case has intensified following the release of newly surfaced text messages. These messages reportedly show the accuser, identified as Jane Doe, communicating amicably with some of the accused individuals and indicating they should not feel shame, stating, "Our body our choice."
However, Jane Doe's attorney, Thomas Giuffra, told The Post on Thursday that his client was in the initial stages of processing the events and was experiencing "denial, shame and ultimately acceptance." According to Giuffra, her recollections evolved, particularly after seeing group chats where she was advertised by the fraternity members as "free p—y," and one message later bragging about her participation in an "eightsome."
The Cornell University campus has been the center of a scandal involving alleged sexual assault, with reports of underreporting at the Chi Phi Fraternity House in 2024.