Rep. Nancy Mace, R-S.C., a rape survivor, suggested Friday that the Jane Doe at the center of the Cornell 7 case was a willing participant in a “consensual gangbang” rather than a victim of rape.
“IDK who needs to hear this, but a consensual gangbang is not a rape,” Mace wrote in a post on X.
The South Carolina Republican’s comments came one day after TMZ published new text messages between Jane Doe and one of the accused fraternity members, Jonathan Newell.
In the messages, sent on the evening of Oct. 21, 2024, Newell apologizes to Jane Doe.
“You’re an amazing person and I genuinely hope ur not catching as much heat from this as we r. We’ve been shutting down any stories we’ve heard but again I’m so so sorry,” he wrote.
Jane Doe responded, “aw jonathan i really appreciate this text. my memories super clouded too. I think we were all way to f***ing drunk and high.”
She continued, “i really liked being w u and matt. so anything anyone has to say about the gamgbang [sic] is out of their jurisdiction.”
After referencing the “gamgbang,” she added, “i don’t think we should feel any shame for the part. our body our choice asf.”
Mace has been open about her own experience as a survivor. Last year, she took to the House floor to accuse her former fiancé and two business associates of drugging and raping her and other women in 2022. The former fiancé, Patrick Bryant, categorically denied the allegations.
The congresswoman also famously clashed with ABC News’ George Stephanopoulos, accusing him of trying to shame her as a rape victim when he asked how she could support Donald Trump, who was found liable by a New York jury of sexually abusing writer E. Jean Carroll.
“I’m not going to sit here on your show and be asked a question meant to shame me about another, potential rape victim,” Mace said at the time.
With her latest post, Mace joins podcaster Megyn Kelly in condemning Jane Doe.
Kelly is facing major backlash after saying Jane Doe was “not the most attractive gal” and was “probably thrilled to be admired” by her alleged rapists.
The case has drawn intense scrutiny. New York Gov. Kathy Hochul, a Democrat, appointed New York Attorney General Letitia James to look into Jane Doe’s case after Cornell University and the Tompkins County district attorney appeared to drop the ball on the investigation.
The newly released text messages have added a fresh layer to the controversy, with Jane Doe describing her memories as “super clouded” and saying everyone involved was intoxicated, while also writing that she “really liked being” with Newell and another individual she identified as Matt.
Mace’s blunt post signals that the text messages have shifted how some prominent figures view the case, as James takes over the investigation that has drawn national attention.
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