South Carolina Rep. Nancy Mace Reveals Tattoo History Linked to Personal and Political Str
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The South Carolina Republican first disclosed to Politico in February that she had gotten nine tattoos in rapid succession between late 2023 and early 2024 — a stretch that included the collapse of her engagement and an exodus of staff from her congressional office. Mace told Politico the tattoos were a way to “reclaim” her body and identity, and that they provided “the pain that I need to feel.”
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Washington ExaminerMace recently took to social media to promote Get Maced, a new YouTube show in which she plans to address current events and politics. The appearances also offered a fuller look at the tattoos covering her arms, which she had largely kept concealed after getting them earlier this year.
USA TodayMace, in a February interview with Politico, revealed she got nine tattoos between 2023 and 2024, around the time of a breakup with her fiancé and the removal of a benign tumor from her uterus. She told the publication the tattoos were to "reclaim her body," and for “the pain that I need to feel." Mace, 48, did not share the details on her tattoos or what each of them signify.
HuffPostMace received her first nine tattoos in 2023 and 2024, around the time of a breakup with her fiancé and the removal of a benign tumor from her uterus. She told Politico the tattoos were for “the pain that I need to feel” and to “reclaim” her body.
Washington TimesThe lawmaker said at the time that she gets tattoos to feel “the pain that I need to feel” and to “reclaim” her body.
New York PostThe South Carolina Republican previously opened up about her tattoos in an interview with Politico earlier this year, saying she got nine of them while going through a turbulent period in her life.
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Mace’s personal struggles have unfolded alongside an increasingly tumultuous political career. Earlier this year, she sought the Republican nomination for governor of South Carolina but finished fifth. South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson, whom Mace has accused of failing to properly address her allegations of sexual assault involving her ex-fiance and others, won the Republican nomination in a runoff.
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New York PostMace unsuccessfully vied for the GOP nod to become governor of South Carolina, finishing in fifth place.
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One of the tattoos is the opening line from Virginia Woolf’s novel Mrs. Dalloway: “Mrs. Dalloway said she would buy the flowers herself.” The tattoo reveal comes as Mace prepares for life outside Congress. She announced a campaign for governor of South Carolina last year but finished fifth in the Republican primary in June.
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USA TodayOne of the tattoos appears to be of a Christ-like figure, while another seems to be an eagle. The word "Justice" can also be seen. One tattoo, according to Politico, reads, “Mrs. Dalloway said she would buy the flowers herself” – an opening line from a Virginia Woolf novel. Mace's representatives did not immediately respond to USA TODAY's request for a comment.
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Lame-duck Rep. Nancy Mace (R-S.C.) has been getting lots of ink ― but not for any political success.
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The Daily WireI know Rep. Nancy Mace. She’s a nice lady, but has always been a rather attention-seeking political personality.
5 details only one outlet reported
Independent claims that didn't surface elsewhere in our corpus. Treat as supplementary — not corroborated across outlets.
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01 New York Post “The utter apocalypse over my biceps is funny,” Mace wrote on X after right-wing pundit Laura Loomer jumped to her defense.
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02 USA Today Saman Shafiq is a trending news reporter for USA TODAY. Reach her at sshafiq@usatodayco.com and follow her on X and Instagram @saman_shafiq7.
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03 Washington Times In the intro video, Ms. Mace wears a tank top that shows the ink designs. Among them are the word “JUSTICE” written vertically, a depiction of the Virgin Mary, a bird, and floral motifs.
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04 The Daily Wire If you are a sitting congressperson and you show up with Hells Angels-looking sleeves, it’s a little weird. It’s a sign of something.
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05 HuffPost “Mace’s arms are covered, giving the buttoned-up politician a look few voters probably had on their bingo cards,” TMZ wrote.
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Sources (6)
- washtimes
- huffpost
- nypost
- usatoday
- washexaminer
- dailywire