The Independent employs reporters around the world to bring you truly independent journalism. To support us, please consider a contribution.
Donald Trump wasted little time on Tuesday after Joe Biden announced Senator Kamala Harris will be his running mate before calling her "nasty," and suggested the California Democrat once lied about smoking marijuana while listening to rapper Snoop Dogg.
The president has a well-documented habit of calling women who question or oppose him "nasty," and he made clear during a press briefing that despite the country's ongoing racial tensions, he will not shy away from attacking the first black female vice presidential candidate.
Mr Trump was asked about Mr Biden's choice during a coronavirus briefing in which he said the number of virus cases in the US is falling; it's actually on the rise. He also said, again without supporting data, that it will be eradicated "shortly."
Download the new Independent Premium app Sharing the full story, not just the headlines
But the bulk of reporters' questions were about Ms Harris, as the Trump-Pence versus Biden-Harris race officially gets underway.
Mr Trump repeatedly brought up Ms Harris' sharp questioning of now-Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh during his Senate confirmation hearings, saying she was "nasty" towards him.
"I like Vice President mike pence much better. He's solid as a rock," Mr Trump said. "He's been a great vice president, and I will take him over Kamala and the .... horrible way she treated Justice Kavanaugh.
"I thought she was the meanest, most disrespectful of anyone in the US Senate," the president claimed.
He also, like his campaign did in a statement, tried to describe Ms Harris as too liberal for most Americans, even amid questions about whether the progressive wing of the Democratic Party is fired up about her selection.
"She's known as being about the most liberal person in the United States Senate," Mr Trump said without citing any academic or think tank studies.
But a 2017 Pew Research Center study backs up the charge, grouping Ms Harris, based on her voting record in the "very liberal" portion of her party.
ManSoldWorld on August 11st, 2020 at 22:24 UTC »
He donated to her past campaigns twice
I need a reporter to bring that up ASAP
thechaddster on August 11st, 2020 at 22:22 UTC »
Listening to Snoop and smoking cannabis is only going to make her more appealing to me.
Custergrant on August 11st, 2020 at 22:16 UTC »
Not even a birther story first? I'm disappointed. Vote this fucker out.