Doug Emhoff, the spouse of Vice President Kamala Harris, has denied allegations that he assaulted an ex-girlfriend during a 2012 incident at the Cannes Film Festival. The Daily Mail initially reported the allegations, citing three unnamed sources who stated that Emhoff allegedly struck his then-girlfriend, a New York attorney, after he suspected she was flirting with a valet.
The allegations were denied by a representative of Emhoff, who declared, “This report is untrue.” It is untrue that he has ever or would ever strike a woman. According to the Daily Mail report, the altercation took place in Nice, France, as the couple waited in a valet line following an event. The report was based on the accounts of individuals who were identified as acquaintances of the woman.
The report alleges that the incident was exacerbated when Emhoff, under the impression that his fiancée was flirting, slapped her in public. According to reports, the woman responded by striking him. Nevertheless, Fox News and other outlets have been unable to independently corroborate the claims, and no additional information has been released to substantiate the story.
The allegations are made as Emhoff continues to serve as the second gentleman in public, having recently been commended by MSNBC’s Jen Psaki for his supportive role in his marriage to Harris, which has altered the perception of masculinity. Despite the denial, the accusations have resurfaced in the weeks leading up to the 2024 election, subjecting the Harris-Emhoff family to additional scrutiny.