Ramaswamy debuts 'Rebel SCUM' merch after debate spat with Haley

Republican presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy on Friday debuted a line of "Rebel SCUM" merchandise after former U.N. Ambassador Nikki Haley calling him "scum" on-air during the third Republican primary debate on Wednesday.

"The Establishment in both parties is corrupt to the core and is alive more than ever. It’s time to fight: now is the moment for freedom-loving American patriots everywhere to stand up and take back the country we love from a corrupt group of politicians who are marching us toward World War III. This is our 1776 Revolution," he posted on X, announcing the merchandise line's debut.

The lineup currently includes beer cozies and t-shirts. Ramaswamy Communications Director Tricia McLaughlin confirmed to Just the News that the campaign plans to unveil additional merchandise at a later date. She further confirmed that the "Rebel SCUM" branding was a loose reference to a line from Star Wars.

Haley's jab on Wednesday evening followed a tense exchange between the pair over a prospective banning of the Chinese social media app TikTok. Ramaswamy has used the app to campaign and defended the move on-stage, saying it was an effective way to reach younger voters.

"The next generation of Americans are using it and that's actually the point," he said. He further chastised Haley for criticizing his use of the app when her own daughter also did so. Haley expressed outrage at the mention of her daughter, who is an adult and whom Ramaswamy did not name.

"You're just scum," an exasperated Haley subsequently declared. Ramaswamy chose to embrace the label.

Ben Whedon is an editor and reporter for Just the News. Follow him on X, formerly Twitter.