Bulwark Takes

Episode: Nancy Mace is STILL Complaining About Airport Security

Date: November 11, 2025
Host(s): Sam Stein, Tim Miller, Will

Overview

This episode of Bulwark Takes dives into the ongoing saga of Congresswoman Nancy Mace’s escalating public meltdown following an airport security incident at Charleston Airport, and how her resulting social media storm, political accusations, and personal controversies reflect on the current climate of Republican politics in South Carolina. The hosts explore the specifics of her airport confrontation, the bizarre aftermath (including attacks on fellow politicians and allegations of pedophilia protection), and consider the broader implications for her gubernatorial campaign and political discourse.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Charleston Airport Incident (00:29–05:13)

• Triggering Event: Nancy Mace expected special security escort through Charleston Airport on Oct 30, was late and did not receive it; became irate with security personnel.

  • "She shows up... She's 30 minutes late in a gray car. So the police say, well, we didn’t see her at the drop off... She’s getting really mad because she doesn’t have this escort." – Will [03:54]
  • "You are not special as a congresswoman. ...You should wait in the fucking security line with all of us." – Tim [03:06]

• Expected Privilege: Outcry over politicians expecting special treatment at airports.

  • "Does she get to the grocery store? Do Congress people get to go into the 10 items or less line when they have 15 items?" – Tim [03:31]
  • "A true Paul of the people wouldn’t even do pre check." – Sam [05:37]

2. Nancy Mace’s Social Media Meltdown (07:03–08:53)

• Online Escalation: Mace posted excessively about the airport incident, including editing and sharing security videos with dramatic soundtracks, omitting crucial moments.

  • "She posted 105 times about that. And those are original posts... She posted that many times just about this security incident." – Tim [07:37]
  • "That is the behavior of a mad person." – Tim [08:30]
  • "It does strike me as like peak Elon during like the Doge meltdown days when he was just going nuts..." – Sam [08:53]

• Narrative Shaping: Criticized for shifting blame onto airport staff, alleging misconduct and security risks instead of taking responsibility.

3. The Fallout: Attacks and Accusations (09:05–13:46)

• Dragging Colleagues In: Mace invoked Tim Scott’s name as a comparison, which he publicly rejected.

  • "Imagine you’re Tim Scott and you’re just sitting around... and then Nancy Mace just drops you into this insane controversy." – Sam [09:26]
  • "Would it take that long to bring the check to Tim Scott? If it was Tim Scott instead of Tim Miller, would he be getting this kind of service?" – Tim [09:45]

• Sparring with Political Opponents: Alan Wilson, SC Attorney General and Mace’s gubernatorial opponent, delivered Chick-fil-A and Waffle House to TSA agents as a dig at Mace’s Waffle House waitress background ([10:31–10:54]).

  • Mace lashed out, calling Wilson a "pedophile protector" and referencing a “pedovan.”
    • "Responds to him and calls him a pedophile protector and then asks if he rode in on a pedal van this morning to deliver them." – Sam [10:54]
    • "Feel like you’re only taking it to 11 there." – Tim [11:13]

• Attacks on Lindsey Graham: After Graham defended airport staff, Mace responded by calling him gay, reflecting a pattern of escalating, personal attacks ([12:34–12:46]).

4. Escalating Legal Mess and Reputation (15:03–18:57)

• Representation by Controversial Lawyer: Mace is now represented by Larry Klayman, described as a "real nut" and famously litigious with clients such as Laura Loomer and George Zimmerman.

  • "He is the most litigious person among his... clients include Laura Loomer, George Zimmerman..." – Sam [15:15]
  • "Last week, Florida decided... he’s going to be suspended for two years." – Will [16:27]

• Personal Lawsuits: Tim brings up Mace’s public breakdown over her ex-fiancé, Patrick Bryant, which spilled onto the House floor and has resulted in lawsuits and countersuits involving hacking, blackmail, and defamation.

  • "Earlier this year went on the house floor and went 'scorched earth,' accusing him and several of his friends of being sexual predators." – Tim [16:54]
  • "He has filed a countersuit saying that Nancy Mace hacked his phone, tracked his car, and falsely smeared him as a rapist." – Tim [18:04]

5. Implications for Voter Tolerance and the GOP (18:57–20:15)

• Testing the Drama Threshold: Hosts wonder aloud whether there is any amount of personal or political drama that will turn Republican primary voters off.

  • "This is a real test about how much the voters are willing to tolerate in terms of the drama quotient of candidates." – Sam [18:57]
  • "She has lapped Trump... Trump dined out on being all drama all the time." – Tim [19:11]

• Image Problem in the Governor’s Race: Contrasted with her opponent’s public persona, Mace’s continuous drama is presented as an ongoing liability.

  • "On one hand, she’s the person arguing about getting to skip the security line, and her opponent... delivers Chick Fil A. So she needs to change it up." – Will [19:50]

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Political Privilege:

  • "Wait in line. Nancy, you’re not better than any of us." – Tim [05:13]

• On Social Media Addiction:

  • "She posted 105 times... I don’t think I’ve posted 63 times in a day ever. She posted that many times just about this security incident." – Tim [07:37]

• On Nancy’s Escalations:

  • "She’s mad she wanted that escort. Basically, it’s what this comes down to." – Will [13:23]
  • "You best not miss. Okay. I guess that’s...the message she’s sending." – Tim [11:33]

• Comparison to Trump:

  • "She has lapped Trump... This is Jerry Springer meets... the Jerry Spring personification of Jerry Springer." – Sam [19:11–19:17]

• On Larry Klayman:

  • "He is the most litigious person among his... clients include Laura Loomer, George Zimmerman..." – Sam [15:15]

Segment Timestamps

• Charleston Airport Incident begins: [02:51]
• Discussion of privilege & airport security: [03:06–05:13]
• Social media meltdown & video editing: [07:03–08:53]
• Mace’s 100+ posts detailed: [07:37]
• Attacks on Tim Scott & Alan Wilson: [09:05–10:54]
• Waffle House dig explained: [10:40–10:54]
• "Pedophile protector" accusation: [10:54]
• Attacks on Lindsey Graham: [12:34–12:46]
• Controversial legal representation: [15:03–16:27]
• Ex-fiancé controversies & lawsuits: [16:51–18:57]
• Assessment of drama in politics: [18:57–19:50]
• Conclusion: [20:03–20:15]

Tone & Style

The conversation is biting, sardonic, and irreverent—matching the absurdity of the story with incredulity and dark humor. The hosts freely riff off each other, speculate about motivations, and highlight how Nancy Mace’s behavior embodies the performative chaos of modern GOP politics.

Summary Takeaway

The episode paints Nancy Mace as an archetype of a modern, attention-seeking politician whose personal grievances and social media habits have overtaken her public duties, all while questioning whether Republican voters will ever reject or penalize such drama-laden candidates. The saga is part soap opera, part political case study, and the hosts leave listeners wondering what, if anything, will finally cross a line for the electorate.