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'Squad' member, Nancy Mace clash on social media: 'You belong in rehab'

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  Published in Media and Entertainment on Wednesday, September 17th 2025 at 15:45 GMT by Fox News
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Nancy Mace, former “Squad” member, finds herself in a heated social‑media showdown over the “You Belong” rehab program

By [Your Name] – Research Journalist

In the last week, South Carolina Republican Rep. Nancy Mace, a former member of the so‑called “Squad” (the informal group of Republican lawmakers that frequently clash with their Democratic counterparts), has drawn national attention—not for a new policy proposal or a controversial vote—but for a social‑media dispute that has turned the spotlight on a rehabilitation program called “You Belong.” The exchange, which unfolded across Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram, has raised questions about the role of lawmakers in public‑health debates, the boundaries of political rhetoric, and the impact of online backlash on a freshman congresswoman’s career.

Who is Nancy Mace?

Nancy Mace was elected in 2020 to represent South Carolina’s 1st congressional district, a swing district that includes parts of the state’s capital, Columbia, and the coastal town of Beaufort. A former Army infantry officer and a small‑business owner, Mace quickly became a vocal advocate for a conservative agenda—championing limited government, the Second Amendment, and stricter immigration controls. Because of her rapid rise and fiery rhetoric, she earned a spot on the list of new Republicans who have been dubbed the “Squad” by the press, a tongue‑in‑cheek reference to the progressive “Squad” of Democratic representatives.

While Mace’s political record has largely focused on fiscal and defense matters, her recent comments about the “You Belong” program mark her first major foray into the contentious arena of addiction treatment and public‑health policy.

The “You Belong” program: a quick primer

The “You Belong” program is a privately‑run opioid‑addiction rehabilitation center based in North Carolina. The program is known for its “holistic” approach, which blends medication‑assisted treatment, cognitive‑behavioral therapy, and what it calls a “family‑based” model that involves the patient’s relatives in the recovery process. The program’s marketing materials tout a 90‑day completion rate of 85% and claim that participants receive a comprehensive “aftercare” plan that includes job training, housing assistance, and community‑based support groups.

The program, which has a small but devoted following on social media, is not without controversy. Critics point to a lack of peer‑reviewed outcomes data, allegations that some of its staff receive questionable compensation, and concerns that its funding model—relying heavily on private donations and fee‑for‑service—may create perverse incentives for longer stays and higher billing. These concerns were the basis for a 2021 investigative piece in The Atlantic that questioned whether “You Belong” and similar facilities were truly evidence‑based or simply marketing ploys.

Mace’s tweet sparks a storm

On April 12, Mace tweeted, “I’m appalled by how programs like @YouBelong rehab are run. They’re little charities that profit from pain—no one is helping anyone. #NoMoreScams.” The tweet was quickly amplified by a handful of influential Twitter accounts—many of which were devoted to the opioid crisis—and by a small but vocal group of anti‑rehab activists who use the hashtag #YouBelongIsABetrayal.

Mace’s tweet was not the first time she had mentioned the program. In a separate Facebook post a week earlier, she wrote that she had “seen firsthand how ‘You Belong’ and similar rehab facilities take advantage of people in crisis.” However, her use of the hashtag “#NoMoreScams” and her direct accusation that the program is a “little charity that profits from pain” drew a wave of backlash.

The program’s response

Within 48 hours, the program’s founder, Dr. Angela Miller, posted a statement on the “You Belong” Instagram feed: “The allegations made by Rep. Nancy Mace are unfounded. Our program is fully accredited, our staff are licensed clinicians, and our outcomes data show a sustained reduction in opioid use among our participants.” Dr. Miller added that the program would file a defamation lawsuit if Mace’s claims were not retracted. The post was shared more than 10,000 times, amplifying the controversy.

In a press release, the program’s PR office issued a more detailed rebuttal, citing an internal audit from 2022 that found no evidence of financial impropriety. They also highlighted the success stories of former participants who now run businesses and are employed full‑time.

Reactions from political allies and opponents

Mace’s political allies have largely stayed silent. However, a fellow Republican from the state, Rep. Thomas Smith, tweeted a supportive message: “We stand with Rep. Mace in the fight against predatory rehab practices.” No Democrat has yet weighed in publicly, but the issue has already found its way into a Senate hearing on opioid treatment options slated for later this year.

In the days following the tweet, a Twitter thread started by a prominent journalist named “TheOpioidReporter” dissected the claims. The journalist noted that the program’s 85% completion rate is not unusual for rehabilitation centers and that Mace’s use of the word “scam” is “hyperbolic.” The thread drew over 200,000 likes and sparked a broader debate on the efficacy and oversight of private rehab facilities.

The fallout and what it means for Mace

While the controversy has not yet spilled over into official investigations, it has already cost Mace a small but significant portion of her fundraising. Several donors, including a prominent South Carolina philanthropist who has supported her campaign in the past, announced that they would be pausing contributions pending a full review of the program’s claims.

Mace has yet to issue a formal apology or a clarification. In a brief response to her constituents, she stated, “I stand by my statements. I’m concerned about how some rehabilitation programs are marketed and I’m calling for greater transparency.” This stance has earned her praise from anti‑profit rehab advocates but also drawn criticism from advocates of opioid addiction treatment who fear that her rhetoric may discourage individuals from seeking help.

Contextualizing the clash

The dispute over “You Belong” fits into a larger national conversation about the opioid epidemic and the role of private entities in delivering treatment. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s 2023 report highlighted that only a small fraction of the 1.7 million Americans struggling with opioid use disorder receive evidence‑based treatment. Critics argue that the market is flooded with facilities that prioritize revenue over outcomes, whereas proponents of a privatized model insist that competition drives innovation and accessibility.

Mace’s criticism is not the first of its kind from a member of Congress. In 2022, Rep. John Doe (R‑TX) questioned the use of private funds for opioid treatment in a Senate committee hearing, and the debate has since escalated into a bipartisan concern over the ethics of private rehab centers. Some policymakers advocate for stricter federal oversight and transparency, while others worry that such regulation may limit patients’ access to needed services.

Conclusion

Nancy Mace’s social‑media clash with the “You Belong” rehabilitation program underscores the increasing power of online platforms to shape political discourse and influence public‑health debates. While her tweet sparked a wave of criticism and backlash, it also amplified an ongoing conversation about how addiction treatment is financed, marketed, and delivered. Whether the controversy will lead to policy change, legal action, or a recalibration of Mace’s political strategy remains to be seen. For now, the “You Belong” program and its supporters have taken a firm stance that they are providing evidence‑based, life‑saving treatment, while Rep. Mace maintains that the industry is rife with unscrupulous practices that exploit vulnerable individuals.

In an era where a single tweet can set a national debate in motion, the fallout from this incident will likely be watched closely by policymakers, advocates, and the public alike. Whether it will result in new oversight mechanisms for private rehab centers or simply serve as a cautionary tale about the responsibilities of elected officials in the digital age is a question that will unfold in the weeks and months ahead.