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After Ramaswamy spat, Nalin Haley clashes with Neera Tanden online
The exchange erupted after Haley’s remark about former Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg drew backlash online and prompted a personal response from Tanden.
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Malvika Choudhary - Sat, 13, Dec 2025
- 16:15 EST
- 32
Neera Tanden and Nalin Haley / X (Neera Tanden)/ File Photo
Nalin Haley and Neera Tanden traded sharp remarks on social media after Haley posted a comment widely criticized as homophobic, referencing former U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg.
Haley wrote on X, “In a world of Pete Buttigiegs, be normal,” while quoting a post by Ed Krassenstein, creator of the account @KrassenCast, which read: “In a world of Donald Trumps and Pete Hegseths, be a Pete Buttigieg.”
Also Read: Nalin Haley slams Ramaswamy’s education plan as ‘third-world’
Buttigieg became America’s first openly gay Cabinet member when he was sworn in as Secretary of Transportation in February 2021. Haley’s remark quickly drew backlash online, with users interpreting it as a comment on Buttigieg’s sexual orientation rather than his policies.
Neera Tanden, who served as the domestic policy advisor to former President Joe Biden, responded by quoting Haley’s post and writing, “I feel embarrassment for your mom over your tweet.”
I feel embarrassment for your mom over your tweet. https://t.co/7AKD33juez
— Neera Tanden (@neeratanden) December 10, 2025
Haley replied by quoting Tanden’s message and writing, “Ma’am, you spent 4 years abusing an elderly man and covering up his mental decline for your own personal gain. If anyone should be embarrassed, it’s you.” He later added that Tanden “should not be allowed within 100 feet of any senior care facility.”
Ma’am, you spent 4 years abusing an elderly man and covering up his mental decline for your own personal gain. If anyone should be embarrassed, it’s you. https://t.co/oVcgiDcjlt
— Nalin Haley (@Nalin_Haley) December 11, 2025
The exchange sparked a wave of reactions on X. Some users defended Haley and criticized Tanden for invoking his mother, former South Carolina governor and U.S. ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley.
The exchange adds to a series of high-profile social media clashes involving Haley and other Indian-origin politicos. In a separate incident earlier, Haley criticized Republican leader Vivek Ramaswamy over his education proposals, calling him a “creep” and describing his suggested reforms, including year-round schooling, as “third-world parenting.”
Haley made the remarks while responding to a video in which Ramaswamy argued that year-round schooling could help ease childcare costs.
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