Doug Emhoff, the husband of Vice President Kamala Harris, has been praised by Democratic leaders and progressive media for embodying a “new masculinity.” However, reports surfaced Wednesday alleging that Emhoff physically assaulted an ex-girlfriend during a drunken altercation because he believed she was flirting with someone else.
According to the Daily Mail, the incident took place in 2012 in Cannes, France, after the couple attended a high-profile gala. Allegations from friends of the woman involved suggest that Emhoff slapped her during the confrontation. This revelation comes as Emhoff positions himself as a staunch advocate for women’s rights during his role as the Second Gentleman.
Earlier this year, Maine Democrats celebrated Emhoff’s visit to a Portland abortion clinic, while he also revealed in August that he had an extramarital affair. In response to inquiries from CNN, he admitted to cheating on his first wife, Kerstin Emhoff, with their ten-year-old daughter’s teacher and nanny. Reports claim that the affair resulted in an unplanned pregnancy, but the woman chose not to continue with the pregnancy, though it’s unclear whether she had an abortion or placed the child for adoption.
The ex-girlfriend, referred to as “Jane” for her privacy, allegedly endured a slap from Emhoff after he accused her of flirting with a valet while waiting for a car. Three anonymous friends corroborated her account, stating that she reached out to one of them in distress, with claims that Emhoff hit her hard enough to cause her to spin around. Jane reportedly ended their relationship that same night.
These allegations contradict Emhoff’s public persona as a champion of gender equality and women’s rights, as he has frequently appeared alongside Harris in discussions about combating “toxic masculinity.” The incident occurred before Emhoff’s marriage to Harris in 2014.
Emhoff has yet to comment on the recent allegations. The couple has publicly maintained a united front as advocates for women’s issues, and Emhoff is often recognized for supporting Harris’s political endeavors.