Representative Nancy Mace, a Republican who represents South Carolina, tried to play both sides of the political firestorm surrounding COVID-19 vaccination when she slammed them during an appearance on Fox News only to praise their efficacy during a CNN appearance mere hours later.
The footage of both of her appearances can be seen in the video below.
When you’re on Fox vs when you’re on CNN pic.twitter.com/miHJTbEMzY
— Acyn (@Acyn) November 29, 2021
During her appearance on Fox News on the morning of Sunday, November 28, Mace suggested COVID-19 vaccines are not as effective as natural immunity:
“In some studies that I’ve read, natural immunity gives you 27 times more protection against future Covid infection than a vaccination. So we need to take all of the science into account and not selectively choosing what science to follow."
Mace's claim is false.
In fact, a recent study from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) found COVID-19 mRNA vaccines are roughly five times more effective at preventing hospitalization than a previous infection.
But if you'd only seen Mace's appearance on Fox News, you would never have expected to hear her express the opposite opinion on CNN—and over footage of her receiving a COVID-19 vaccine, no less.
During the CNN appearance, Mace claimed to have backed the science behind vaccines and measures to curb the spread of COVID-19 from the start:
“I have been a proponent on vaccinations and wearing masks when you need to. We had the Delta variant raging in South Carolina, I wrote an op-ed to my community."
“I have worked with our state Department of Health, I’ve run ads encouraging my district to go and get vaccinated, and when we have these variants and we have these spikes to take every precaution – from washing your hands to wearing your N95 or K95 mask more than the medical masks."
Mace was swiftly criticized by social media users who accused her of two-facedness and lying to pander to the Republican base.
I’ll insist: these people don’t actually believe anything as public policy. Nada. Not a thing. It’s all for whatever audience they’re catering to. They don’t have a project for government, they only and exclusively have a project for power. https://t.co/TIpInn6wKR
— a single teardrop (@boneyardofnames) November 29, 2021
Wow… Not surprised. A great reminder that everyone telling you not to get vaccinated, is actually vaccinated. https://t.co/Tfm1TQGihk
— PostModerna Man (@OpnMndExtLeft) November 29, 2021
Wow! This gives new meaning to “two-faced.” https://t.co/ldmSZuzBbs
— Roger Tansey 🌊🐕🌈 (@rogertansey) November 29, 2021
Double talking asshole https://t.co/aCXw368X0n
— Shawn Horn (@lanta21) November 29, 2021
man. people dying and she’s just all about that bag. honestly both networks should be ashamed of themselves https://t.co/5vF1buOoLM
— perpetual eternal (@perpetualetrnl) November 29, 2021
same shirt, same day, radically different messaging https://t.co/tijN96NE68
— brittneyg (@brittneyg) November 29, 2021
Example infinity that the @GOP is absolutely full of shit and will say anything to pander to their base… https://t.co/adlYP3zyNp
— Chad Wierzbinski (@Chadofmanyhats) November 29, 2021
Intentionally misleading fox viewers into sickness and death during a pandemic. Sue her ass off, and fox for broadcasting without correction https://t.co/RYl8hv4PiB
— PK (@UntideLaces) November 29, 2021
Extremely impressed at the shamelessness of it all. https://t.co/t3vl7y1a9R
— Justin Baragona (@justinbaragona) November 29, 2021
Mace's behavior was also harshly condemned by Washington Post opinion columnist Paul Waldman, who said she, like many other Republican officials, is playing "a game that maintains their legitimacy while allowing dangerous lunacy to flourish in their party."
Waldman called on news organizations who choose to interview politicians like Mace to "demand right from the outset that they address the lunatic claims being made in their party" and not aid and abet "lunacy" from the Republican Party.
