Nikki Haley brands Vivek Ramaswamy ‘scum’ in fiery exchange during GOP debate
Nikki Haley brands Vivek Ramaswamy ‘scum’
REUTERS
Nikki Haley has branded Vivek Ramaswamy “scum” after the anti-woke entrepreneur took aim at her daughter.
Haley, who served as Donald Trump’s Ambassador to the United Nations, was visibly enraged when Ramaswamy suggested she should look after her family before lecturing him on the merits of TikTok.
Ramaswamy said: “In the last debate, [Haley] made fun of me for actually joining TikTok while her own daughter was actually using the app for a long time. So you might want to take care of your family first.”
Firing back, Haley replied: “Leave my daughter out of your voice.”
WATCH NOW: Nikki Haley clashes with Vivek Ramaswamy
The audience at Miami’s Arsht Center voiced disapproval with Ramaswamy’s personal jibe, with a chorus of groans ringing out.
But boos turned into cheers when Haley fought back.
Ramaswamy added: “You have her supporters propping her up, that’s fine.”
“You’re just scum,” Haley said as she looked to subtly interrupt her Republican rival.
LATEST DEVELOPMENTS:
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis licks his lips back and forth as former South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley and former biotech executive Vivek Ramaswamy argue on either side of him
REUTERS
Haley’s son Nalin defended his mother against Ramaswamy’s attack, labelling the anti-woke entrepreneur “desperate”.
He also claimed his sister’s TikTok account was deleted a “very, very long time ago”.
Despite the pair providing a major clash in last night’s debate, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis emerged as the victor in Miami.
An opinion poll conducted by JL Partners found 56 per cent of respondents believed DeSantis performed better with just 35 per cent backing Haley.
Donald Trump is the frontrunner for the GOP nominationREUTERSJames Johnson, co-founder of JL Partners, told The Daily Mail: “Republican donors and kingmakers around the country are trying to work out who to back to go up against Trump: Ron DeSantis or Nikki Haley.”
However, polling data aggregator Real Clear Politics claims Trump remains the GOP frontrunner.
RCP’s average gives the 45th President 58.5 per cent in its 2024 Republican primary polls.
DeSantis languishes behind in a distant second at 14.4 per cent and Haley is struggling to hit double-digits at just nine per cent.
Trump has decided not to attend any of the three GOP primary debates but often polls as the preferred candidate after the televised bouts.