Second gentleman Doug Emhoff has strongly denied allegations made against him in a Daily Mail report claiming he slapped his ex-girlfriend during a 2012 trip to the Cannes Film Festival. The report, which quoted three unnamed sources, alleged that the incident occurred when Emhoff and his then-girlfriend were waiting in a valet line after an event in Nice, France. Emhoff’s representative has refuted the claims, stating that they are entirely false.
Despite these allegations, several media outlets, including Semafor, have been unable to verify the accuracy of the Daily Mail’s reporting. Major news organizations like the New York Times have not covered the claims. The sources cited in the article remain anonymous, citing fear of retaliation from Emhoff. They provided the Daily Mail with a photo of the couple, as well as itineraries and correspondence to support their claims.
According to the sources, the altercation was sparked when the woman, identified only as “Jane,” flirted with a valet, leading Emhoff to allegedly slap her. Jane’s friends recounted the incident, stating that she was in shock and retaliated by slapping Emhoff back. They also claimed that Emhoff did not apologize for his actions.
This incident reportedly took place during a trip to France in 2012, while Emhoff was in a relationship with Jane between his divorce from his first wife and his marriage to Vice President Kamala Harris in 2014. Emhoff cut the trip short and returned to the U.S. for his daughter’s birthday, never seeing Jane again.
In a recent interview, Emhoff discussed his role in supporting women and reshaping perceptions of masculinity. He emphasized the importance of supporting women in various areas such as pay equity, child care, and family leave. Emhoff’s past admission to having an affair with his family’s nanny during his first marriage has also garnered attention, with critics pointing out the inconsistency in his actions.
As the election approaches, these allegations against Emhoff could have significant implications for Vice President Harris’s campaign. Emhoff’s past actions and the recent allegations may impact public perception of the second gentleman and his role in the upcoming election. The ongoing scrutiny surrounding his personal life and past behaviors could potentially overshadow Harris’s campaign efforts.
