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‘Momala’ trends as Kamala Harris, Biden enthrall supporters with 1st speech as running mates, attacking Trump

Last year, Harris said, “We didn’t like the term ‘stepmom’. Instead, they came up with the name ‘Momala’.” Although, most people seemingly chose “Mamala” to refer to her today

On Wednesday, August 12, the words “Momala” and “Mamala” were visible all over Twitter. But what are they? Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden announced on Tuesday, August 11, that he had chosen Senator Kamala Harris as his running mate in the 2020 elections. Harris is the first woman of color (she has a mixed heritage of Indian and Black) to be named to a major-party U.S. presidential ticket. She will be the first woman vice president if Biden defeats President Donald Trump in the polls.

Harris has a number of feathers in her cap. And her Twitter bio seems to list the most important ones to her. It reads, “U.S. Senator and Democratic candidate for Vice President of the United States. Wife, Momala, Auntie. Fighting for the people.”

Last year, writing for Elle, Harris said, “A few years later when Doug and I got married, Cole, Ella, and I agreed that we didn’t like the term ‘stepmom’. Instead, they came up with the name ‘Momala’.” Although, most people seemingly chose “Mamala” to refer to her today, even though as a Twitter user pointed out, “It’s Momala, though #mamala works too. In either case, a powerful dose of lady power is headed Trump’s way.”

Another noted, “#Mamala is also a Yiddish term of endearment. I'm kvelling so much right now @KamalaHarris #BidenHarris2020.”

The trend was also fuelled by the fact that on Wednesday, the Democratic running mates made their first public appearance as nominees together. Biden lauded Harris as the child of “America’s story” who fought for the working class and was ready to take on their opponents in a “life-changing election.” He said, “This morning, all across a nation, little girls woke up, especially little Black and Brown girls… Just maybe they’re seeing themselves for the first time in a new way, as the stuff of presidents and vice presidents.”

Harris during her speech did her best to attack President Donald Trump. She said, “America is crying out for leadership. Yet we have a president who cares more about himself than the people who elected him. A president who is making every challenge we face even more difficult to solve... As somebody who has presented my fair share of arguments in court, the case against Donald Trump and Mike Pence is open and shut.”

She also praised Biden, saying, "That is how I came to know Joe. He's someone whose first response when things get tough is never to think about himself but to care for everyone else. He's someone who never asks, why is this happening to me? And instead asks, what can I do to make life better for you? His empathy, his compassion, his sense of duty to care for others, is why I am so proud to be on this ticket."

Harris and Biden’s supporters on Twitter expressed their hopes for the duo under the “Mamala” hashtag. One wrote, “@KamalaHarris is pretty freaking spectacular. Politics aside. What an American story. Could only happen here! Wow, she is good!  #mamala #momala.”

Another wrote, “#Mamala, FUNT, Kamala Aunty. Kamala Baji, Senator Harris, VP, Half of the #BidenHarris2020 ticket. Vote for them and get rid of this national nightmare that is Trump and Pence. We also have to take the Senate. It's doable.”

Another wrote, “After Kamala Harris’ speech Donald Trump is going to hide in his bunker and cry for his own #Mamala.”