An advertisement featuring Kamala Harris was showcased on the 580,000-square-foot Exosphere at Sphere in Las Vegas, Nevada, on October 30, 2024. This marked the first time a political campaign had utilized this space.

For Kamala Harris, her name is a tool to assert her authority, celebrate her identity, and counter attacks from her White House rival, Donald Trump. The former Republican president frequently addresses Harris by her first name at his rallies, contrasting his treatment of former Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden, whom he often referred to as 'Biden' or 'Sleepy Joe.'

Trump has also been known to mispronounce 'Kamala,' stating at a rally in late July that there are 'numerous ways of saying her name.' He added, 'I said, don't worry about it. It doesn't matter what I say. I couldn't care less if I mispronounce it.'

On the surface, this appears to be just another example of Trump's belittling nicknames. However, when directed at a woman and a person of color, his insistence on using her first name and mispronouncing it takes on a more insidious tone.

Karrin Vasby Anderson, a professor of communications at Colorado State University, explains, 'Calling women leaders by their first name is often done to undercut their authority.' Some believe Trump is attempting to 'other' Harris, reminding his supporters of her Jamaican father and Indian mother.

This impression is heightened by Trump's frequent use of racist and violent rhetoric against migrants, especially during an election marked by a growing gender divide. Anderson notes, 'It's noteworthy that Trump often mispronounces her name for humorous effect, tacitly implying that the notion of a Black woman with South Asian heritage running for president is worthy of ridicule.'

Harris has turned Trump's attacks into an opportunity to celebrate her first name and emphasize its correct pronunciation. After Biden withdrew from the race in July, the campaign's X account swiftly changed from 'Biden HQ' to 'Kamala HQ.'

At rallies, 'Kamala' signs are displayed alongside 'Harris Walz' posters, referring to her running mate Tim Walz. In Washington, tens of thousands of people chanted her name as she delivered a major address, creating a contrast between the solemnity of the moment and an almost affectionate note.

Harris's two great-nieces and Emmy-winning actress Kerry Washington demonstrated the correct pronunciation at the Democratic National Convention in August. The trio divided the crowd, with one side chanting 'Kama' and the other responding 'la.'

Harris's first name also has a playful version: 'Momala,' a nickname given to her by her stepchildren, Ella and Cole Emhoff. After Biden's dramatic decision to drop out of the race, Harris entered late and with a lack of notoriety. Using her first name is one strategy among others to bridge this gap.

This approach has been used by other American politicians to create their public persona. Progressive US Senator Bernie Sanders is often referred to by his first name, and Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg is widely known as 'Mayor Pete.'

Using 'Kamala' allows Harris to subtly highlight her unique background and the historic nature of her presidency. Kelly Dittmar, professor of political science at Rutgers University, notes, 'She does not need to explicitly remind people that she's a woman or that she's a Black and South Asian woman.'

Harris's husband, Doug Emhoff, had a pithy response to Trump's mispronunciations. 'Mr. Trump, I know you have so much trouble pronouncing her name,' Emhoff said during a campaign event in August. 'Here's the good news. After the election, you can just call her Madam President.'

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