Whoopi Goldberg couldn’t help but challenge her guest on today’s episode of The View, engaging in a fiery debate with Rep. Nancy Mace over abortion rights in America.
Mace, a Republican lawmaker who voted against the spending bill that prevented the government shutdown this weekend, was questioned by Alyssa Farah Griffin about how she thinks the GOP should move forward after Roe vs. Wade fell, and how they should approach the contentious issue of abortion.
In response, Mace shared her own experience with sexual assault, said her party needs to “find a balance to show we’re pro-life, but we care about women.”
“Neither side wants to find the middle ground,” she said, as Goldberg joined in to ask her, “Do you want the government telling you how to raise your family?”
After Mace admitted, “I don’t,” Goldberg asked, “So shouldn’t we all be able to say, listen, no law says you have to have an abortion … isn’t that my choice, if my doctor and I feel that that’s the best way for me?”
She then asked, “Why am I being held to someone else’s religious beliefs?”
Mace argued that a “baby deserves the right to life,” but before she could say more, Goldberg cut in, “But that’s your belief.” Still, Mace continued, “You can’t say on one hand, at some point, you don’t want the government in the room between the doctor and the woman, but those who want the government to pay for it has the government in the room with the doctor and the woman, so you can’t have it both ways.”
Griffin, attempting to calm down the rising tension in the room, noted the “medical ethics question” that factors into abortion law, especially in later trimesters, but Goldberg continued to push back.
“Yes, but I’m saying to you, isn’t that your choice to make that decision? Why do you want me to go with your belief when that is not my belief? That’s the part I’m trying to understand,” Goldberg said.
Mace countered, “The states have the right to do whatever they want,” pointing to states like California and New York that allow abortions “at nine months.” That was exactly the wrong thing to say to Goldberg, who shook a finger at her guest and replied, “Let’s stop that. No one — no doctor, no hospital — no one will take a baby at nine months for an abortion. I’m telling you.”
Planned Parenthood has debunked the “late-term abortion” myth, while OB-GYN Dr. Jen Gunter has stated, “There are no ninth month abortions. Really. A ninth month abortion is a unicorn and so it’s ridiculous to even discuss it. Terminations after 24 weeks are for severe fetal anomalies.”
Mace then told Goldberg, “You want to push me on my limits, but Gavin Newsom, Kamala Harris, Joe Biden will not give you their limits, and we’re having this conversation. Why aren’t we talking about the men?”
She continued, “What about the men who are rapists?” pointing to some “blue states” where rapists have “more rights than a woman who’s been raped.” Goldberg continued to clash with her guest, telling Mace, “Yes, absolutely there are rapists out there. Why isn’t it my choice if what happened to you happened to my daughter, why isn’t it my choice, if she’s 12 and pregnant?”
Mace found common ground with her there, telling Goldberg she agreed, but the moderator was still hung up: “Why isn’t it my choice? … I also am pro-life. I want everybody to have a safe life. … but when it comes to what is best for my family and I, why isn’t that my choice and my doctor’s choice, without bringing anyone else in?”
The View airs weekdays at 11/10c on ABC.
If you or someone you know needs to reach out about sexual abuse or assault, RAINN is available 24/7 at 800-656-HOPE (4673), or online at RAINN.org.