Former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley referred to as fellow Republican presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy “scum” on Wednesday after he challenged her capability to face as much as China and the Beijing-linked social media app TikTok by saying her daughter was a person.

“Hold my daughter away out of your voice,” Mrs. Healy mentioned angrily, including: “You might be simply scum.”

She and Mr. Ramaswamy have been exchanging barbs all evening in the course of the third presidential major debate, and he referred to as her “Dick Cheney in 3-inch heels.”

However issues obtained actually unhealthy when the candidates have been requested the way to confront China and cope with TikTok, which US authorities say is basically adware that drains customers’ particulars and sends them to Beijing.

Mr Ramaswamy has a TikTok account and has needed to defend its use, saying he meets younger voters the place they’re. He additionally mentioned that Ms Healy was mistaken to reprimand him on that account.

“Effectively, her daughter has already been utilizing the app for a very long time, so she may need to handle your loved ones first,” Mr. Ramaswamy mentioned.

The talk viewers booed him at the same time as Ms. Haley fired.