What started as a fierce political voice against exploitation on the House floor has now taken a surprising personal twist.
South Carolina Congresswoman Nancy Mace—known for her passionate speeches about protecting women—now finds herself in the middle of a deeply personal legal drama involving accusations, leverage, and claims of emotional instability.
Advisor Claims Mace Wanted to Use Private Photos as Bargaining Chips
In a newly surfaced deposition, Mace’s former advisor, Wesley Donehue, alleges that the congresswoman tried to use intimate images from her ex-fiancé’s phone to gain full ownership of two shared properties—worth over $5 million combined.
The properties include a $3.9 million beach house in South Carolina and a $1.3 million residence in Washington, D.C.
According to Donehue, Mace asked him to speak directly with her ex, Patrick Bryant, and use the images as leverage.
She allegedly discovered photos and videos on Bryant’s phone, including one of a woman she described as “passed out on a couch,” and another showing Mace herself getting up to use the bathroom.
Was It an Attempt at Blackmail?
During the deposition, Bryant’s lawyer asked Donehue bluntly if Mace had instructed him to use the images as a threat: “Show him these pictures and tell him they’ll go public if he doesn’t give me the houses.”
Donehue’s answer? “Yes.”
When asked if this could be seen as blackmail, Donehue replied, “Yeah.”
Despite feeling deeply uncomfortable about his role, he said he agreed to speak with Bryant at Mace’s request.
Pushback from Mace’s Side
Mace’s camp quickly dismissed the advisor’s testimony, calling the claims “wild” and “outlandish.”
A source close to the congresswoman described Donehue as a “disgruntled former vendor” and long-time friend of Bryant, implying he might be biased.
It’s worth noting that Donehue was subpoenaed as part of a civil case and also met with South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED) after Mace’s explosive accusations.
While SLED has opened an investigation into Bryant, no charges have been filed against anyone Mace named in her claims.
A Speech That Sparked National Attention
The deposition comes just one day after Mace made headlines again—this time at a House subcommittee hearing on voyeurism.
She shared blurred-out images she said were taken without her consent, including a naked silhouette captured by what appeared to be a home security camera.
This followed an earlier speech where she accused Bryant and others of being part of a rape and sex trafficking ring, calling them “sexual predators.”
The men have strongly denied all allegations.
Signs of Strain Behind the Scenes
Donehue also painted a picture of a congresswoman under emotional pressure.
He described Mace as emotionally unstable during that period, saying she was losing weight, getting “stress tattoos,” and exhibiting behavior he found erratic.
“She cared a lot, but it came across as unstable,” he said.
Eventually, Donehue claims he cut ties with Mace due to feeling uneasy about the tasks she was assigning him.
“I just wasn’t comfortable anymore,” he stated in his deposition.
Mixed Messages About Safety and Vacationing
Another puzzling detail? Mace allegedly told Donehue she feared for her safety around Bryant.
Yet, at the same time, she mentioned going on a Caribbean vacation with him and his friends.
When he challenged the contradiction, Mace reportedly replied, “I’m taking my free vacation in the Caribbean.”
A Campaign Advisor’s Warning
Donehue said he warned Mace directly: “If it ever comes out that you knew about women being harmed and did nothing, your career is over.”
That conversation, he says, was one of many red flags that eventually led him to walk away from working with her.
Competing Legal Claims
Bryant has denied all of Mace’s accusations, calling them false and malicious.
Another man named in her claims, South Carolina businessman Brian Musgrave, has sued Mace for defamation.
In response, Mace has filed a countersuit, arguing that Musgrave’s attacks on her were also defamatory and harmed her public image.
What Did Mace Really Tell Donehue?
Despite the bombshells in her public speeches, Donehue says Mace never mentioned sex trafficking or rape to him in their private conversations.
The only thing she brought up, he says, was that Bryant possessed non-consensual nude photos of women.
He also recalled Mace telling him she had been physically assaulted, showing him bruises on her arm she claimed were from Bryant grabbing her.
At another point, she expressed fear and said she was considering ending the relationship because of his alleged “shady” behavior.
What’s Next?
This tangled legal and political saga is still unfolding.
While investigations are underway, no formal charges have been brought.
Meanwhile, Mace continues to champion anti-revenge porn legislation, appearing recently at the White House for a bill signing event with First Lady Melania Trump.
As for the outcome of these conflicting narratives? That may take time—and the courts—to sort out.
But one thing is certain: the personal and political worlds of Nancy Mace are colliding in a way that’s attracting national attention.