Republican Rep. Nancy Mace is facing renewed scrutiny after former staffers accused her of erratic, inappropriate behaviour behind closed doors, allegations that they say mirror the South Carolina lawmaker’s increasingly volatile public conduct.In a detailed report by New York Magazine, multiple unnamed former aides claimed Mace made bizarre and, at times, potentially unethical demands during her first term in Congress, long before her recent string of public controversies.According to the report, Mace would allegedly pressure staffers to bring alcohol to her home to keep parties going well past midnight, behaviour that could constitute an abuse of office under House ethics rules.“When I worked for her, our poor scheduler was getting calls at two o’clock in the morning to come bring her bottles of tequila,” a former staffer told New York Magazine.Former aides also alleged that Mace frequently blurred professional boundaries, leaving staffers exhausted, fearful, and unsure how to push back against her demands.

Burner accounts and ‘hotness rankings’

The report further alleges that Mace instructed staffers to create burner accounts to defend her online and to boost her appearance rankings on Reddit.According to multiple sources, the 48-year-old lawmaker told a staffer to visit forums that rank the “hottest women in Congress” and actively improve her standing. One former aide said Mace was “very adamant” that the staffer upvote posts about her attractiveness and leave comments.Mace’s office forcefully rejected the claims. Cameron Morabito, her director of operations, dismissed the allegations in a statement to New York Magazine, saying: “These allegations are so ridiculous they don’t even merit a response. I hope she sues you for every dime you got paid to write this defamatory bullshit.”Ahead of the article’s publication, Mace also addressed the story in a video posted on X, calling it a “hit piece.”“The establishment is coming after me again,” she said. “If I have enemies, good. Get in line. It means I’ve done something, it means I’ve stood for something… I’ve never been a good old boy, I never will be.”

Pattern of public confrontations and personal allegations

The allegations arrive as Mace, now a vocal Donald Trump loyalist and a candidate for governor of South Carolina, has drawn attention for a series of public incidents.Last year, she accused her former fiancé, Patrick Bryant, 51, of assault and of participating in a conspiracy to drug, rape and film other women during a speech on the House floor. Bryant has denied the allegations and has since sued Mace for defamation.She has also faced criticism for an expletive-filled confrontation with police officers at Charleston Airport during the government shutdown and for a shouting match earlier this month with Democratic Rep. Ayanna Pressley of Massachusetts during a House Oversight Committee meeting.Former staffers told New York Magazine that while they are inclined to believe Mace’s accusations against Bryant, despite never witnessing anything themselves, they said they question her judgment and emotional stability.They alleged that Mace drinks and uses marijuana “excessively,” and said they were afraid of her behaviour in the workplace.“She would make staffers cry,” one unnamed former aide said. “She would threaten to fire them, take their money away, not give them raises, not to give them days off, religious days.”Staffers also claimed they were made to clean properties Mace rented out on Airbnb—including a $3.9 million home in Isle of Palms, South Carolina, and her Washington townhouse, instead of hiring professional cleaners.

Netizens react

One user said, “Honestly kind of sad. She’s a congresswoman. In theory, she should be confident and know she’s accomplished so much, and is fierce. But unfortunately the political climate has devolved into name calling and bullying appearances by literally the most hideous people I’ve ever seen”Another said, “Odd but not surprising… The only way she could move past many of her colleagues is by cheating!”Third said, “I am so embarrassed for her omg”