Doug Emhoff, the husband of Vice President Kamala Harris and the country’s Second Gentleman, is facing serious allegations stemming from an incident in 2012. Three friends of Emhoff’s ex-girlfriend have come forward, claiming she told them that he assaulted her during a booze-fueled confrontation following an event at the Cannes Film Festival. This revelation comes just after former White House press secretary Jen Psaki praised Emhoff for “reshaping the perception of masculinity,” casting a shadow over his image.
In an interview with The Daily Mail, friends of the woman—referred to only as “Jane” to protect her identity—shared their accounts of the alleged assault. According to one friend, Jane was visibly shaken and in tears when she called them immediately after the incident. Jane allegedly said Emhoff slapped her during an argument after a Cannes event in May 2012.
One of the friends, who claims to have received the tearful phone call, recalled the moment vividly. “It was hard to hear her because she was sobbing. She told me she was with a guy and he hit her,” the friend said, noting that Jane provided details of the attack, including the fact that they were both leaving a Cannes Film Festival event when the alleged assault occurred.
Two other friends corroborated the story, telling The Daily Mail that Jane shared similar details with them at the time. They also provided photographs to the newspaper showing Emhoff and Jane together, confirming their connection during the Cannes event.
According to the accounts provided by Jane’s friends, the incident took place in the early hours of the morning as the couple tried to leave a star-studded gala. They described how both Jane and Emhoff had been drinking, and a long line for taxis caused tensions to flare.
One of Jane’s friends recounted what they had been told: “She put her hand on the valet’s shoulder as she was talking to him. Doug came up, turned her around by her right shoulder, and she was completely caught off guard. He hauled up and slapped her so hard she spun around.”
The friend added that the encounter left Jane distraught, and they were unsure how to help in the moment. “I didn’t know whether to call the French police. I couldn’t get a hold of her after calling back,” the friend explained, emphasizing how shaken Jane was after the alleged attack.
This isn’t the first time Doug Emhoff’s personal life has been scrutinized. In a prior controversy, Emhoff admitted to cheating on his first wife, Kerstin Emhoff, and impregnating their children’s nanny. As previously reported by Breitbart, Emhoff acknowledged his infidelity and the impact it had on his first marriage.
In a statement to CNN, Emhoff said, “During my first marriage, Kerstin and I went through some tough times on account of my actions. I took responsibility, and in the years since, we worked through things as a family and have come out stronger on the other side.”
This past infidelity, paired with the new allegations of violent behavior, has raised questions about Emhoff’s character, despite his public persona as a devoted husband and a key figure in his wife’s political career.
These accusations are particularly damaging given Emhoff’s prominent public role as the Second Gentleman of the United States. Known for championing causes such as gender equity and speaking about his experience as a supportive husband to Kamala Harris, Emhoff has long been held up as a model of modern masculinity. Psaki’s recent praise of him as someone who “reshaped the perception of masculinity” now seems out of sync with the serious allegations he faces.
For Vice President Kamala Harris, this situation could present a major challenge as she continues her role in the Biden administration and prepares for the 2024 election. As the first woman and the first woman of color to hold the vice presidency, Harris has become a symbol of progress for many Americans. Any scandal surrounding her spouse could tarnish that image and become a political liability.
The timing of these allegations also coincides with a broader conversation about gender, power, and accountability in public life, particularly in the wake of the #MeToo movement. As the public looks to its leaders for moral clarity and ethical behavior, any allegations of misconduct, particularly of a violent nature, are likely to come under heavy scrutiny.
Despite the friends’ accounts, there are still many unanswered questions surrounding the incident. Emhoff has yet to publicly respond to the allegations, and Jane has not made any official statement or filed any charges. It remains unclear whether the claims will escalate into a formal investigation or if they will simply linger in the public sphere, damaging Emhoff’s reputation by association.
Moreover, there is no indication that Kamala Harris was aware of the incident prior to these allegations surfacing. Her response, if any, could influence public perception and become a key moment in how the Biden administration handles allegations of personal misconduct among those close to them.
As the details of the alleged 2012 assault come to light, Doug Emhoff finds himself at the center of a growing controversy that could not only damage his personal reputation but also create political consequences for his wife, Vice President Kamala Harris. For now, the public waits to see if Emhoff will address the allegations head-on or if this scandal will continue to unfold with more revelations in the future.