Trump instantly lashes out at 'phony' Kamala Harris as Joe Biden announces her for VP pick

The Trump campaign quickly responded to Joe Biden selecting California Democratic Senator Kamala Harris as his running mate, describing her as "phony" and predicting she will prove to be the former vice president's "political living will."

"Clearly, Phony Kamala will abandon her own morals, as well as try to bury her record as a prosecutor, in order to appease the anti-police extremists controlling the Democrat Party," the campaign said in a statement. "Joe Biden is no moderate, and with Harris as his 'political living will,' he is surrendering control of our nation to the radical mob with promises to raise taxes, cut police funding, kill energy jobs, open our borders, and appease socialist dictators."

The president did not immediately directly comment, but is slated to brief reporters on the coronavirus pandemic at 5:30 ET.

But he did post a campaign video on his personal Twitter account that painted Mr Biden and Ms Harris as controlled by the "radical left."

The ad notes Mr Biden has acknowledged his age, 77, and said he may only serve one term. The ad accuses him of handing the "reins" to Ms Harris, saying voters "rejected" her during the Democratic nominating process.

But in recent weeks, as she emerged as the frontrunner for the VP candidate slot, Mr Trump told reporters he thought she would be a "fine choice."