Second gentleman Doug Emhoff has refuted claims made by a Daily Mail article, which cited three anonymous sources alleging he slapped a former girlfriend at the 2012 Cannes Film Festival. The report, widely discussed, suggested that Emhoff “forcefully slapped ex-girlfriend for flirting with another man.”
While the story has not been corroborated by other major news outlets, it has become a focal point in the media. Responding to these allegations, a spokesperson for Emhoff told Semafor, “this report is untrue,” saying that “any suggestion that he would or has ever hit a woman is false.” Despite the lack of widespread mainstream media coverage, the story remains a significant topic.
Emhoff, husband of Vice President Kamala Harris, faces serious allegations from an ex-girlfriend, referred to as “Jane,” who claims he assaulted her in 2012 after a Cannes Film Festival event. According to three of her friends who spoke to DailyMail, Emhoff struck Jane in the face during a valet altercation, which allegedly stemmed from his jealousy over her interactions with a valet. The incident reportedly left Jane in shock and she ended their relationship that night.
Jane’s friends corroborated her account, sharing details from the time of the incident and photos of the couple. One friend recalled receiving a sobbing phone call from Jane immediately after the alleged assault. The friends revealed that Emhoff, during their relationship, also confessed to impregnating his children’s nanny and settling the matter with an $80,000 payment and a non-disclosure agreement. The nanny, Najen Naylor, accused Emhoff of causing her miscarriage, although he denied responsibility. The revelations stand in stark contrast to Emhoff’s public image as an advocate for women and ally against toxic masculinity, which has been promoted by his media appearances alongside Harris.
In a recent interview with MSNBC’s Jen Psaki, Emhoff was praised for “reshaping the perception of masculinity,” an image now called into question by these troubling allegations. “I’ve always been like this,’ Emhoff said in the interview. “To me, it’s the right thing to do, support women.”
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Jane’s friends said that she hesitated to come forward due to fears of retaliation, particularly as Harris rose in prominence. They argued that Emhoff’s actions contradict his public persona, describing him as manipulative and hypocritical. Despite his claims of support for women, Jane’s friends believe the public deserves to know the truth about his behavior, especially given his role in Harris’s political platform. Emhoff has yet to respond to the accusations, but these revelations may damage the image he and Harris have cultivated throughout their political careers.
Emhoff has made significant strides in carving out a unique role for himself since his wife assumed office as Vice President. An entertainment lawyer, Emhoff has transitioned from private practice to focus on education and legal access, specifically advocating for equal justice and promoting diversity within the legal community. Since stepping into his role, Emhoff has actively participated in roundtable discussions and public speaking engagements.
