DATAW ISLAND, S.C. (AP) — Republican Congresswoman Nancy Mace encountered both support and criticism during a recent town hall meeting in one of the most exclusive communities in her coastal South Carolina district.
Held on the picturesque and gated Dataw Island, the event drew several hundred attendees, most of whom were older residents.
The gathering offered Mace a platform to address a range of hot-button political issues, including the recent controversy over alleged antisemitism on college campuses and the federal government’s role in funding higher education.
The event, hosted by the Dataw Island Owners Association, was structured to minimize direct confrontation, with attendees submitting questions in advance to a moderator. Even so, the conversation took a contentious turn when Mace addressed the topic of Jewish students facing harassment and intimidation during campus protests over Israel’s military actions in Gaza—a conflict that has sparked polarized reactions across the country.
Mace voiced strong support for Jewish students and Israel, aligning her stance with broader conservative critiques of elite academic institutions. “I support all Jews in Israel, thank you very much,” she said firmly from the stage.
“They are our best friend, and Christians are in their fight with them. I support them 100%, and it says a lot about the folks walking out of here, when I’m talking about protesting Jews and religion.”
Her remarks led to a small but noticeable walkout by some attendees, indicating that the issue remains divisive even within traditionally conservative spaces.
The walkout highlighted broader tensions over how politicians approach complex international conflicts and issues of free speech on American college campuses.
The discussion also turned toward Harvard University, which has found itself at the center of the debate after filing a lawsuit to block a federal freeze on more than $2.2 billion in grant funding.
The freeze was imposed by the Trump administration, which has accused universities like Harvard of failing to adequately address antisemitism during pro-Palestinian protests. The administration has demanded that schools impose tighter restrictions on campus activism—demands Harvard has resisted.
Mace didn’t hold back in her criticism of such institutions. “We don’t like the antisemitism on their campus,” she said. “They shouldn’t get any federal funding.” She further claimed that many of these elite universities were “raising lunatics,” a statement that drew some chuckles from the crowd but also raised eyebrows.
Her comments reflect a broader conservative push to crack down on what they see as left-wing ideologies dominating higher education. For Mace, leaning into these cultural debates could be a strategic move to solidify her position among Republican voters and expand her political influence statewide.
A frequent user of social media to highlight confrontations with opponents, Mace posted a video earlier in the day showing herself waving at a small group of protesters gathered to oppose her appearance at the town hall. She has built a reputation for engaging directly with critics, often using those encounters to bolster her image as a fearless conservative voice unafraid to tackle divisive issues head-on.
The event itself, limited to RSVP-only attendees and set in a high-income gated community known for its upscale amenities—like 36 holes of golf, a private marina, and luxury homes worth over $2 million—provided a controlled environment for Mace to share her views. Dataw Island, located about six miles from Beaufort, is home to around 1,100 properties and serves as a haven for affluent retirees.
Currently serving her third term in Congress, Mace represents South Carolina’s 1st Congressional District, which includes the Charleston area and is considered the state’s only swing district. Her political balancing act—appealing to moderates in a competitive district while staying in line with the conservative base—has been a defining feature of her tenure. Earlier this year, she told the Associated Press that she is “seriously considering” a run for governor in 2026, a move that would elevate her political profile significantly.
As national debates over campus protests, antisemitism, and the role of elite universities in American society continue to intensify, Mace’s comments in Dataw Island suggest she intends to stay at the forefront of these discussions—unapologetically.
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