South Carolina Republican congresswoman Nancy Mace, known for touting her self-taught coding skills, is facing allegations from former staffers who claim she directed them to create burner social media accounts to monitor and promote her online presence.
Allegations of Online Manipulation
Multiple former staff members, speaking anonymously to WIRED, described how Mace frequently referenced her tech expertise, often claiming to be a coder. However, they say her actions went beyond self-promotion, alleging she instructed staff to set up and use burner accounts across various platforms—including Reddit—to defend her and shape public perception.
“We had to make multiple accounts, burner accounts, and go and reply to comments, saying things that weren’t true—even Reddit forums,” one former staffer recounted. “We were congressional staff, and there were actual things we could be doing to help the constituents.”
Official Response and Unanswered Questions
Mace’s communications director, Sydney Long, denied any misuse of staff time, stating, “The only relationship the Congresswoman cares about is her one with South Carolina. She is married to her job and that is all the media should care about.” Mace’s office did not respond to detailed questions about her programming skills or the devices she uses.
Tech Policy and Political Maneuvering
Mace, once a “never Trumper,” has become a prominent supporter of former President Trump and is known for her aggressive online tactics. She has also played a significant role in technology policy, recently reintroducing the Modernizing Government Technology Reform Act, which aims to audit outdated federal IT systems.
Controversies and Legal Proceedings
In recent months, Mace has been embroiled in personal and political controversies, including public allegations against her ex-fiancé and others during a House floor speech. These comments, protected by the Constitution’s speech and debate clause, have sparked investigations by the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division into allegations of assault, harassment, and voyeurism.
During a deposition related to an unrelated legal matter, Wesley Donehue, a former campaign consultant, described Mace as “very, very computer savvy,” alleging she programmed her own bots and managed burner accounts on platforms like Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram. “She sits all night on the couch and programs bots, because she's very, very computer savvy,” Donehue stated.
Staffers Question Technical Claims
Despite Mace’s reputation for tech prowess, some former staffers expressed skepticism about her actual coding abilities. “I never saw her coding shit. Ever,” one said, though they acknowledged her frequent discussions about technology and use of basic automation tools available to professional social media users.
The allegations raise questions about the ethical use of technology by public officials and the boundaries between personal promotion and official duties in the digital age.
