GOP Lawmaker Opposing Trump on Epstein Faces Tough Election Battle

WHO:

Alternet - Rep. Nancy Mace (R-South Carolina), Lt. Gov. Pamela Evette, President Donald Trump, Hugh Cameron (Newsweek reporter).

Newsweek - Nancy Mace.

WHAT:

Alternet - A series of recent GOP primaries found incumbents who President Trump was upset with losing to Trump-backed MAGA candidates.

Alternet - Mace is trailing in a crowded GOP primary field after Trump endorsed Lt. Gov. Pamela Evette.

Alternet - Mace stated, "That's the sole reason I didn't get the endorsement: because I voted to release the Epstein files — and I'm OK with that."

Alternet - Mace also said, "If the price of an endorsement was to not vote to lease the Epstein files, that is a price I am unwilling to pay."

Alternet - Trump signed the Epstein Files Transparency Act, directing the Justice Department to release all unclassified records tied to the case.

WHERE:

Alternet - South Carolina.

WHY:

Alternet - Tensions between Trump and other Republicans are driven by his handling of the Jeffrey Epstein files.

Alternet - Mace argues her support for greater transparency in the Epstein case was the key factor behind Trump's decision to back her rival.

Alternet - Critics argued the disclosures related to Epstein were incomplete and moved too slowly.

HOW:

Alternet - The bipartisan push to release government records related to Jeffrey Epstein became a source of friction between Trump and Republican lawmakers.

(UPDATED June 9, 2026 17:44 UTC)

In South Carolina, tensions are rising within the GOP as President Trump has endorsed Lt. Gov. Pamela Evette, leaving Rep. Nancy Mace trailing in the primary race. Mace claims her support for the release of the Epstein files led to her losing Trump's endorsement, stating, "If the price of an endorsement was to not vote to lease the Epstein files, that is a price I am unwilling to pay." This situation highlights the friction between Trump and other Republicans over the handling of Epstein-related disclosures, which critics argue have been incomplete and slow-moving.