South Carolina Rep. Nancy Mace is at the tail end of her run as a congresswoman, yet it appears she’s going out with a bang. The Republican politician is facing a fresh wave of online mockery after appearing on her podcast, Get Maced, wearing a tight black leather catsuit, looking like Catwoman. Her latest appearance has since sparked bewilderment and lots of questions, mostly synonymous to “why?”
Mace, 48, showed off the striking outfit on September 25 while discussing political topics including Michigan Senate hopeful Abdul El-Sayed and the Iran war on her YouTube program. The appearance quickly circulated online, with social-media users focusing less on the discussion and more on the congresswoman’s dramatic new look.
One post that attracted more than millions of views joked, “Nancy Mace is now dressing like JD Vance’s favorite leather couch lol [expletive] is getting real boss.” The reference appeared to be a joke about the viral internet meme involving Vice President JD Vance and a fictional leather couch, rather than an actual connection between Mace and Vance.
Other users compared Mace’s outfit to the comic-book character Catwoman. “She’s more of a Harley Quinn than a Black Widow,” one commenter wrote, while another joked, “That’s Catwoman not Nancy Mace!” The jokes continued, with one critic asking, “Why is she dressing like this and trying to be taken seriously at the same time?”
Some of the reaction was considerably more combative. One user even pointed out Mace’s rather conservative views, writing, “‘When I call Trans Women freaks and sissies as an insult while sitting on a podcast dressed as a Dominatrix. It’s all part of my 24/7 FetLife roleplay.'”
Mace’s appearance led to debates
Not everyone was critical. One commenter acknowledged the controversy while writing, “It’s her choice! Even if I don’t agree with it.” Another admitted, “Hate to say it but she is super hot.” The leather outfit follows another recent image change for Mace. She previously attracted attention after revealing several new tattoos while appearing on Get Maced. According to a recent profile, Mace said the tattoos were connected to a difficult personal period and helped her “reclaim” her body.
Mace’s appearance has also drawn attention because of her increasingly vocal opposition to transgender-rights policies. She has backed restrictions on transgender people’s access to sex-segregated bathrooms and has repeatedly criticized drag performances and gender expression involving children.
In a 2026 congressional hearing, she attacked drag performances in front of children and questioned whether men can become women, continuing a broader shift from her earlier, more supportive comments about transgender people. Mace’s past policies have given critics plenty of ammunition following her leather-clad podcast appearance.
Social-media users pointed to what they see as a contradiction between Mace’s criticism of drag and gender expression and her own deliberately provocative presentation, while others have defended her right to dress however she wants.
