Former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley challenged entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy’s foreign policy credentials during the initial GOP primary debate on Wednesday.
Haley spoke up during the debate to reprimand Ramaswamy for not backing Ukraine against Russia.
Haley said, “If Russia, once Russia should take Ukraine, Poland and the Baltics are next. That’s a world war! We’re trying to prevent war.”
Haley complained to Ramaswamy, “This guy is a murderer, and you are choosing a murderer over a pro-American country!” Loud applause erupted from the audience. Then the two engaged in a heated exchange.
Ramaswamy stung Haley in response: “First of all, Nikki, I wish you well on your future career on the boards of Lockheed and Raytheon.”
“I’m not on the boards of Lockheed and Raytheon!” Haley replied and then proceeded to outline foreign policy matters of disagreement, including Israel.
In one of the most heated moments of the night Haley then turned to Ramaswamy and said, “Under your watch, you will make America less safe! You have no foreign policy experience, and it shows!”
Haley garnered enthusiastic backing from numerous audience members.
Additionally, Ramaswamy faced strong criticism from former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, who took an aggressive stance throughout the debate.
At one point Christie spoke up and said, “Hold on, I’ve had enough already tonight of a guy who sounds like ChatGPT!”
Referencing a comment made by Ramaswamy at the beginning of the debate, Christie said, “The last person in one of these debates who stood in the middle of the stage and said, ‘What’s a skinny guy with an odd last name doing up here?’ was Barack Obama. And I’m afraid we’re dealing with the same type of amateur.”
Ramaswamy grinned, extended his arms and said to Christie, “Give me a hug,” referencing Christie’s embrace of the president after Hurricane Sandy in 2012. “You’ll help elect me just like you did to Obama.”
Chris Christie goes after Vivek Ramaswamy:
"I've had enough already tonight of a guy who sounds like ChatGPT standing up here." pic.twitter.com/7XzL08sh7T
— Republican Accountability (@AccountableGOP) August 24, 2023
Former President Donald Trump declined involvement in the Fox News debate and, instead, engaged in an hour-long interview with Tucker Carlson. The interview was released just moments prior to the debate’s commencement and swiftly garnered tens of millions of social media views, far outdoing Fox’s debate in ratings.
