Michael Eric Dyson texts Nancy Mace after calling her racially insensitive on CNN. "We Look Good Together"

Rep. Nancy Mace revealed text messages allegedly sent by Michael Eric Dyson, a noted scholar and commentator, following a heated exchange on CNN.

The initial contention arose during a segment on CNN's "NewsNight with Abby Phillip," where Dyson and Mace clashed over the pronunciation of Vice President Kamala Harris's name.

Dyson, known for his defense of racial and social justice, criticized Mace's mispronunciation as a sign of disrespect, tying it to broader themes of racial insensitivity. Mace insisted on her pronunciation, escalating the tension.

On September 19, 2024, Mace took to the floor of the House Oversight Committee to address what she described as an attempt to manufacture outrage over the pronunciation of Kamala Harris's name.

Mace revealed that Dyson, who had vehemently criticized her on national television, later sent her private text messages with a notably different tone.  

I would like to also enter into the record a screenshot of a text message I received from the esteemed professor from Vanderbilt, Michael Eric Dyson.  After my CNN interview, begged me for photos. In this text, he says after calling me a racist on CNN, don't tell anybody we look good together and sent me a kissy emoji. The guy says I'm gorgeous (in) all these photos.- Nancy Mace

Dyson responded in an X post:

The ridiculous lies told by Nancy Mace in the effort to smear my name because of her anger at being checked for her insensitive disregard for @VP. I had no intent with her to do anything but be nice. And her white women’s tears and mendacity are all in the service of lies and distortions. I was wrong about one thing: she IS a bigot and racist.

Dyson also posted a link to an IG reel where he further explained his side.