Doug Emhoff, the second gentleman and husband of Vice President Kamala Harris, has denied allegations from a Daily Mail report claiming he slapped an ex-girlfriend at a 2012 Cannes Film Festival event. The report, based on three unnamed sources, alleges that Emhoff slapped his then-girlfriend, referred to only as “Jane,” after becoming upset when she flirted with a valet while they were waiting in line. The sources claim that Jane was in shock and responded by slapping him back.
Emhoff’s representative denied the report, stating, “Any suggestion that he would or has ever hit a woman is false.” Despite the report gaining traction, several media outlets, including Semafor and Fox News, were unable to independently verify the claims. The Daily Mail’s report relied on testimony from three of Jane’s friends, who described the incident and provided some corroborating details, including a photo of the couple and travel itineraries.
The accusations come at a time when Emhoff has been publicly praised for his support of women and his role as a supportive spouse. During a recent interview on MSNBC, Emhoff was recognized for “reshaping the perception of masculinity” and his commitment to gender equity. However, these allegations and a previous admission of an affair with his children’s nanny during his first marriage have drawn significant media attention ahead of the upcoming election, where Vice President Harris will be running alongside President Joe Biden.
