Ganesh Kendale
Amid the ongoing presidential campaign, Doug Emhoff, the husband of US vice president Kamala Harris, faces mounting allegations, raising concerns within Harris’ camp as the second gentleman plays a key role in her public image.
A recent report by the Daily Mail accuses Emhoff, 59, of slapping his ex-girlfriend, a successful New York attorney, during a high-profile event at the Cannes Film Festival in May 2012.The incident allegedly took place after Emhoff accused the woman, identified only as “Jane,” of flirting with another man. According to witnesses, the slap was so forceful that it caused her to spin around while they waited in a valet line.
Three friends of Jane reportedly told the Daily Mail about the altercation. One friend claimed Jane called her sobbing in a cab immediately after the incident, while another said Jane had shared the details with her shortly after it happened. A third acquaintance alleged Jane brought up the event again in 2018 during Kamala Harris’ grilling of Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh over sexual assault allegations. The sources, who provided photos of Emhoff and Jane from 2012, requested anonymity due to fears of retaliation. Jane herself declined to comment on the matter.
Neither Emhoff nor Vice President Harris has publicly addressed the allegations.
In a separate controversy, Emhoff admitted on Saturday to having an extramarital affair during his first marriage to Kerstin Emhoff. This admission came after a bombshell report from the Daily Mail alleged that Emhoff had an affair with Najen Naylor, a nanny at the private school attended by Emhoff’s children. The report claims that Naylor became pregnant as a result of the affair but did not keep the baby.
Emhoff, who has maintained a prominent role as Harris’ supportive spouse, addressed the situation in a statement to CNN, “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.”
The affair, which took place more than 15 years ago, was reportedly disclosed to President Biden’s vetting committee before he chose Harris as his running mate in 2020. Sources familiar with the vetting process said Emhoff informed Harris of the affair before they married, and the relationship had ended by the time Emhoff and Harris began dating. However, when approached by the Daily Mail, Naylor did not deny the affair or the pregnancy, stating only, “I’m kind of freaked out right now.”
Emhoff and his ex-wife, Kerstin, divorced in 2009 following the discovery of the affair. The couple shares two children: Cole, 29, and Ella, 25, a model and fashion designer. Their divorce was filed on the grounds of “irreconcilable differences.”
These allegations, coming at a crucial time in Harris’ political career, have sparked concern within her camp. Emhoff, who has been a key figure in Harris’ public image, now faces scrutiny as these scandals continue to unfold amid ongoing political developments in the United States.
