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Sen. Kamala Harris, D-Calif., has had what many called a strong campaign launch since announcing her run for president on Martin Luther King Jr. Day, and the president has taken notice.

This week, asked by the New York Times in an Oval Office interview which candidate among the growing 2020 field has had the best rollout, he pointed to Harris.

"I would say the best opening so far would be Kamala Harris," he said. "I would say in terms of the opening act, I would say, would be her."

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He went on to praise the enthusiasm and size of the crowd at her launch event. There was just one problem — the New York Times notes he pronounced it "Kameela."

Harris' first name is pronounced "comma-la." The confusion is something of an ongoing problem for her. In 2016, she released a video of children explaining how to pronounce her name, which is still available for those who would like an auditory aid. Many on social media were tickled by Trump's mispronunciation.

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"If he gets onstage somewhere and calls her 'Kameela,' I will die," wrote Twitter user Phyllis X.

"Trump will get her name right before the election," wrote Mike Otis.

It's widely reported that Trump watches a lot of cable news, but he's unlikely to get a good clue on how to pronounce Harris' name from his frequent defender Sean Hannity, who has also been known to mispronounce the senator's name, putting the emphasis on the wrong syllable (he says "Ka-MAH-la").

In the interview, the president also shared some thoughts on House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif.

"I've actually always gotten along with her," he said, "but now I don't think I will anymore."

Filipa Ioannou is an SFGATE staff writer. Email her at fioannou@sfchronicle.com and follow her on Twitter