Republican presidential candidate hopefuls Nikki Haley (left) and Vivek Ramaswamy participate in the third GOP debate.Photo:AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell, Joe Raedle/Getty
AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell, Joe Raedle/Getty
Nikki Haleyhad no patience forVivek Ramaswamy’s digs at her family during Wednesday’s Republican presidential debate on NBC.
Throughout the program, the candidates discussed theongoing war between Israel and Hamas, discredited Trump and traded jabs at each other about social media.
At one point, Ramaswamy — a far-right entrepreneur who is new to the political arena — made things personal for Haley as he called out her daughter, Rena, 25, for using TikTok, a popular Chinese-owned social media platform that has become ahot-button issuein the Republican Party over national security concerns.
“In the last debate she made fun of me for actually joining TikTok, well her own daughter was actually using the app for a long time so you might want to take care of your family first before preaching to anybody else,” Ramaswamy said.
Haley, who formerly served as South Carolina governor and as theU.N. ambassador under Trump, shot back at Ramaswamy, telling him, “Leave my daughter out of your voice.”
As Ramaswamy continued, Haley added, “You’re just scum.”
Former Governor of South Carolina and United Nations ambassador Nikki Haley and her daughter Rena Haley.MANDEL NGAN/AFP via Getty
MANDEL NGAN/AFP via Getty
After the debate, Ramaswamy toldCNNthat “it’s not a sin to be on TikTok,” but defended his argument, saying the remark was intended to highlight Haley’s leadership abilities rather than critique her daughter.
“I think the error is somebody sanctimoniously lecturing the rest of the country, about the perils of it, while actually failing to set an example of leadership a little closer to home,” he told the outlet.
Republican presidential candidates (L-R), former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, former U.N. Ambassador Nikki Haley, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, Vivek Ramaswamy and U.S. Sen. Tim Scott (R-SC) are introduced during the NBC News Republican Presidential Primary Debate.Joe Raedle/Getty
Joe Raedle/Getty
The two presidential hopefuls have gone at each other in previous debates, too — withTikTok in particular being a source of antagonism.
During the Sept. 28 debate, Ramaswamy said he was open to using the social media platform as a way to connect with younger voters. “We need to win elections and part of how we win elections is reaching the next generation of young Americans where they are,” he explained.
Haley interjected and dismissed the idea, calling it “infuriating” as she said TikTok is “one of the most dangerous social media assets that we could have.”
She continued: “Honestly, every time I hear you, I feel a little bit dumber for what you say.”
Ramaswamy was relatively unknown in the political world — at least, nationally — before entering the Republican race.
Since announcing his campaign, he’sgarnered headlinesfor being outspoken against companies using their platforms for social causes. He has also criticized critical race theory, diversity programs and efforts to stop climate change.
source: people.com
