GEORGE STEPHANOPOULOS: You’ve endorsed Donald Trump for president. Judges and two separate juries have found him liable for rape and for defaming the victim of that rape. How do you square your endorsement of Donald Trump with the testimony we just saw?
U.S. REP. NANCY MACE (R-SC): Well, I will tell you. I was raped at the age of 16, and any rape victim will tell you- I've lived for 30 years with an incredible amount of shame over being raped. I didn't come forward because of that judgment and shame that I felt, and it's a shame that you will never feel, George. And I'm not going to sit here on your show and be asked a question meant to shame me about another potential rape victim. I'm not going to do that.
STEPHANOPOULOS: It's actually not about shaming you, it’s a question about Donald Trump…
MACE: No, you are shaming me.
STEPHANOPOULOS: You've endorsed Donald Trump for president.
MACE: Right.
STEPHANOPOULOS: Donald Trump has been found liable for rape by a jury. Donald Trump has been found liable for defaming the victim of that rape by a jury. It's been affirmed by a judge. It repeated the…
MACE: It was not a criminal court case, number one. Number two, I live with shame, and you're asking me a question about my political choices trying to shame me as a rape victim and find it disgusting. And quite frankly, E. Jean Carroll's comments when she did get the judgment, joking about what she was going to buy, it doesn't -- it makes it harder for women to come forward when they make a mockery out of rape. When they joke about it. It’s not- it’s not OK.
STEPHANOPOULOS: Doesn't it make it harder for women to come forward when they're defamed by presidential candidates?
MCE: It makes it harder when other women joke about it, and she's joked about it. I find it offensive. And I also find it offensive that you are trying to shame me with this question.
STEPHANOPOULOS: I'm not trying to shame you…
MACE: You are. I have dealt with this for 30 years.
STEPHANOPOULOS: …in fact, I applaud your candid…
MACE: Do you know how hard it was to tell my story 5 years ago when they were doing a fetal heartbeat bill when there were no exceptions for rape, incest -- or li- rape or incest in there? I had to tell my story because no other woman was coming forward.
STEPHANOPOULOS: I’m just asking…
MACE: No rape victims were represented and you're trying to shame me this morning…
STEPHANOPOULOS: I’m just asking if…
MACE: …and I find it offensive and this is why women won't come forward.
STEPHANOPOULOS: Women won't come forward because they're defamed by those who perpetrate rape. Donald Trump…
MACE: They are judged and they are shamed and you’re trying to shame me this morning. I think it’s disgusting.
STEPHANOPOULOS: I’m not…I’m not shaming you at all. I called you “courageous”.
MACE: I told my story- it took me 25 years to tell my story, I was judged for it. I still get judged for it today.
STEPHANOPOULOS: I’m asking you a very simple question. Explain why…
MACE: And I answered it. You’re shaming me for my political choices.