Topline
Former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley told biotech entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy she feels “dumber every time” she hears him speak in a fiery exchange about TikTok during Wednesday’s GOP presidential debate—as Ramaswamy has consistently riled his fellow candidates on stage during the first two debates.
Republican presidential candidate and former U.N. Ambassador Nikki Haley delivers remarks during the … [+]
Key Facts
Haley told Ramaswamy “honestly every time I hear you, I feel a little bit dumber for what you say,” after Ramaswamy defended his use of the TikTok social media app that has drawn bipartisan concerns over its links to the Chinese government.
The argument began when moderators asked Ramaswamy if someone who could be swayed by a social media influencer should serve as president, referring to Ramaswamy’s decision to join the app earlier this month after a dinner with influencer and boxer Jake Paul—despite labeling the app “digital fentanyl.”
Ramaswamy attributed his change of heart about TikTok to the Republican Party’s need to reach younger voters, telling the audience “there is exactly one person in the Republican Party which talks a big game about reaching young people, and that’s me,” then delivered a brief monologue about his ambition, as other candidates attempted to butt in and highlight the app’s ties to the Chinese government.
Haley called his comments “infuriating” and expressed concerns about TikTok’s Chinese-based parent company, ByteDance, accusing it of sharing users’ information, including contacts and financial data, with the Chinese government.
Crucial Quote
“Let me level with all of you. I’m the new guy here, and so I know I have to earn your trust. What do you see? You see a young man who’s in a bit of a hurry, maybe a little ambitious, bit of a know it all it seems at times. I’m here to tell you no, I don’t know it all,” Ramaswamy said while responding to the moderator’s question about why he joined TikTok.
Key Background
Ramaswamy garnered widespread attention during the first debate last month for his incendiary rhetoric and arguments with his fellow candidates, and he maintained his nemesis status during the second debate on Wednesday, hosted by Fox Business/Univision from Simi Valley, California. Haley, along with Sen. Tim Scott (R-S.C.), attacked Ramaswamy for doing business with China, an apparent reference to his biotech company’s partnership with a Chinese-owned investment company. Haley also criticized Ramaswamy for his comments about U.S. aid to Ukraine: “Just because [Russian President Vladimir] Putin’s an evil dictator does not mean Ukraine is good,” Ramaswamy said. Haley retorted: “A win for Russia is a win for China,” adding “I forgot, you like Russia.”
Tangent
Revelations that TikTok has spied on users, including Forbes journalists, has prompted widespread backlash among lawmakers and probes by Congress and the Justice Department. The federal government and multiple state governments have banned employees from using the app on their government-issued devices over the spying concerns.
Further Reading
DeSantis Immediately Attacks Trump At GOP Debate For Skipping Event: ‘Missing In Action’ (Forbes)
GOP Debate: Pence Blasts Vivek Ramaswamy As ‘Rookie’ Lacking Experience And DeSantis Derails Climate Change Question As Sparks Fly (Forbes)
Ramaswamy Praised By Trump—After Attacks From GOP Rivals During Debate (Forbes)
Source: https://www.forbes.com/sites/saradorn/2023/09/27/gop-debate-nikki-haley-tells-vivek-ramaswamy-she-gets-dumber-every-time-he-speaks-in-heated-exchange-over-tiktok/