Kamala Harris endorsed by Barack and Michelle Obama in huge boost to Democrat's hopes

Kamala Harris's US election hopes have received a massive boost after she was officially endorsed by both Barack Obama and Michelle Obama.

The likely Democratic presidential nominee's campaign team has released a video on social media showing her taking a call from the former President and First Lady.

The brief clip begins with Barack saying "Kamala!" before Michelle chimes in: "Hey there!"

Harris is seen walking through the Zeta Phi Beta sorority event in Indianapolis, where she had just delivered a speech, and towards her SUV, before she gushes: "Ohh hi, you're both together. It's good to hear you both."

Michelle says: "I can't have this phone call without saying to my girl Kamala, I am proud of you. This is going to be historic."

Former president Obama then adds: "We called to say, Michelle and I, couldn't be prouder to endorse you and to do everything we can to get you through this election and into the Oval Office."

Harris offered an emotional message to the pair, as she ended the call, saying: "I just want to tell you that the words you have spoken and the friendship that you have given over all these years mean more than I can express. So thank you both, it means so much.

"And we're going to have some fun with it too, aren't we?"

Questions had been raised over why the political power couple had not immediately backed Harris while other top Democrats voiced their backing for her.

Former President Obama had initially indicated he would favour an open contest to choose the nominee before joining leading Democrats in publicly getting behind Harris.

According to a Democratic official speaking to MailOnline, the Obamas' endorsement announcement was delayed so not to overshadow Joe Biden's address from the Oval Office on Wednesday night.

Prior to his endorsement announcement, the Donald Trump campaign had claimed that Obama was unhappy that the party immediately rallied around Harris, who has now secured enough delegates to sow up the nomination.

"There is a strong sense by many in the Democrat Party - namely Barack Hussein Obama - that Kamala Harris is a Marxist fraud who cannot beat President Trump, and they are still holding out for someone 'better,'" Trump campaign spokesperson Steven Cheung said on Thursday.

The Democratic nomination process will be held virtually in the lead-up to the party's Chicago convention and conclude by August 7.