A fiery exchange between Republican presidential candidates Nikki Haley and Vivek Ramaswamy took center stage during the third GOP primary debate. The clash occurred when Ramaswamy criticized Haley's previous comments about TikTok, accusing her of hypocrisy as her own daughter had used the social media app.

Haley to Ramaswamy: You’re just scum pic.twitter.com/meLxcAVg4a

— Acyn (@Acyn) November 9, 2023

In response, Haley vehemently defended her daughter and called Ramaswamy "scum." The debate moderator also questioned Ramaswamy's decision to join TikTok, to which he defended himself by stating it was a way to reach younger voters but also called for a ban on any US company transferring data to China. The tension between Haley and Ramaswamy continued when he compared her foreign policy views to those of former Vice President Dick Cheney, dubbing her "Dick Cheney in three-inch heels."

In a sharp retort, Haley clarified that her heels were actually five inches in height and emphasized that they were not simply a fashion statement but a form of ammunition. The clash between the two candidates overshadowed the overall foreign policy discussion of the debate. However, Haley, who currently leads Ramaswamy in the polls, was seen as performing strongly throughout the debate. Additionally, the debate raised concerns about political activism on US college campuses, with calls for visa revocations and ideological tests for universities receiving federal funding.