Candiace Dillard Bassett defends controversial 'Traitors' vote

The 'Real Housewives of Potomac' star explains why she voted for Rob Rausch on 'WWHL'

Published on Feb. 3, 2026

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Candiace Dillard Bassett, a contestant on the reality TV show 'The Traitors', defended her controversial decision to vote for her fellow Traitor, Rob Rausch, at a recent roundtable on the show. Bassett appeared on 'Watch What Happens Live' and explained that Rausch's sudden change in behavior at the roundtable made her suspicious, leading her to cast a 'throwaway vote' for him instead of the recently unveiled Traitor, Lisa Rinna.

Why it matters

Bassett's move to vote for Rausch has been both praised as strategic gameplay and questioned as making her look suspicious to the remaining Faithful contestants. Her appearance on 'WWHL' provided an opportunity for her to explain her reasoning behind the controversial vote.

The details

On 'The Traitors', Bassett, Rausch and Rinna were all initially named as Traitors. However, in Episode 7, Rausch voted with the Faithful majority to banish Rinna, revealing her as a Traitor. At the subsequent roundtable, Bassett chose to cast a 'throwaway vote' for Rausch instead of Rinna, which raised eyebrows. Bassett explained that Rausch's sudden change in behavior at the table, going from 'a mute' to giving a 'State of the Union address', made her suspicious of him and led her to vote for him instead of the already exposed Rinna.

  • Candiace Dillard Bassett appeared on 'Watch What Happens Live' on February 2, 2026 to discuss her controversial 'Traitors' vote.
  • The events she described took place during Episode 7 of 'The Traitors' Season 4.

The players

Candiace Dillard Bassett

A contestant on the reality TV show 'The Traitors' and a cast member of 'The Real Housewives of Potomac'.

Rob Rausch

A fellow Traitor contestant on 'The Traitors' with Candiace Dillard Bassett.

Lisa Rinna

A Traitor contestant on 'The Traitors' who was ultimately revealed and banished from the game.

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What they’re saying

“Rob was a mute at this table, at every other roundtable before this one. So, for him to come out and give a State of the Union address, I was looking at him like, 'Are you high? Are you OK?'”

— Candiace Dillard Bassett (Watch What Happens Live)

“There was a twinkle in his eye, he came out of his shell. That is suspicious to me. If I were a Faithful and I'm looking at behavior at this table and all of a sudden you're switching up? You were too passionate about somebody that you had no passion for prior to.”

— Candiace Dillard Bassett (Watch What Happens Live)

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Walker Reed Quinn out on bail.

The takeaway

This case highlights growing concerns in the community about repeat offenders released on bail, raising questions about bail reform, public safety on SF streets, and if any special laws to govern autonomous vehicles in residential and commercial areas.