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By Hollie Silverman
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Representative Nancy Mace of South Carolina rejected allegations that she drank alcohol and used marijuana “excessively,” after a New York Magazine profile cited multiple former staffers who claimed she directed late-night liquor runs and blurred professional boundaries during her first term in Congress.
Mace posted a video on X on Tuesday saying, "The Fake News sure does like to lie. And now people have the very wildest takes about my personal life and alcohol consumption."
"I have a lifelong condition called hemochromatosis, a genetic disease where my body absorbs too much iron," the Republican said.
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"I can only get rid of iron by bleeding it out. So I have a lot of phlebotomies. Any and all alcohol makes it worse," she continued, adding, "Nancy Mace isn't an alcoholic. Nor do I 'imbibe.'”
Why it Matters
The claims surfaced as Mace, a Republican aligned with President Donald Trump and a declared candidate for governor in South Carolina, faces an ethics review.
The House Ethics Committee said in mid-January that it extended a matter regarding Mace that originated from a December referral, but emphasized that an extension does not indicate any violation, framing the context in which new allegations have drawn attention. The committee did not explain the reason for its probe.
What To Know
New York Magazine published a profile on Monday alleging that multiple former Mace staffers described late-night alcohol requests and personal errands. One unnamed former staffer quoted as saying of Mace’s alleged substance use, “She would definitely do it excessively,” and another claiming a scheduler received 2 a.m. calls to bring bottles of tequila.
The article also said that Mace allegedly asked a staffer to engage with online “hotness rankings” and defend her on Reddit via burner accounts.
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Cameron Morabito, Mace’s director of operations, dismissed the allegations 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 bull****."
The House Committee on Ethics said on January 16 that it extended a matter regarding Mace, transmitted by the Office of Congressional Conduct on December 2, 2025, and noted that an extension “does not itself indicate that any violation has occurred,” providing official context separate from the new media allegations.
What Is Hemochromatosis?
Mace said in her X post on Tuesday that she suffers from hemochromatosis.
"About 1 in 200 Americans have this same affliction and most don't know it," Mace said. "If you have Northern European ancestry, get your ferritin levels checked."
"That's it. No scandal. No story. Just science," she said, adding, "I love life and want to keep myself alive as long as possible."
Hemochromatosis is a disorder in which the body absorbs and stores too much iron. This can lead to a toxic iron buildup in organs like the liver, heart, and pancreas, which can cause serious damage, organ failure, diabetes, joint pain, and fatigue.
It's often an inherited genetic condition, but it can also develop from other diseases or blood transfusions. Early diagnosis and treatment, usually involving regular blood removal, are crucial to prevent severe complications.
What People Are Saying
An unnamed former Mace staffer told New York Magazine of Mace's alleged alcohol and marijuana use: “She would definitely do it excessively."
They added: "And again, not to say that most members don’t or most staff don’t, but it got to the point where it was an issue.”
Another unnamed former Mace staffer told New York Magazine: “Look, 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.”
Nancy Mace wrote on X on Tuesday: "The Fake News sure does like to lie. And now people have the very wildest takes about my personal life and alcohol consumption. Here's what the media lied to you about. I have a lifelong condition called hemochromatosis, a genetic disease where my body absorbs too much iron. I can only get rid of iron by bleeding it out. So I have a lot of phlebotomies. Any and all alcohol makes it worse. Mystery solved. Nancy Mace isn't an alcoholic. Nor do I 'imbibe.'
"But 'Congresswoman manages her health like a responsible human being' doesn't make for a good headline, does it? The press has different ideas. They want me buried because I won’t go along. Normal Nancy doesn’t fit the narrative. About 1 in 200 Americans have this same affliction and most don't know it. If you have Northern European ancestry, get your ferritin levels checked.
"That's it. No scandal. No story. Just science. And I love life and want to keep myself alive as long as possible. Love the nurses who take good care of me too - - when they’re taking blood out of my body to keep me healthier than I otherwise would be."
What Happens Next
The House Ethics Committee’s extension indicated only that the matter remained under review and did not signal wrongdoing; the committee typically announces further action via public statements or reports, and no timetable was provided.
Mace’s gubernatorial campaign continues, and any additional responses from her office or legal action referenced by her aide will likely be announced through official statements.
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