A shocking allegation has emerged against Doug Emhoff, the husband of Vice President Kamala Harris.
According to a New York Post report, Emhoff is accused of forcefully slapping his then-girlfriend at a ritzy gala in 2012. The incident allegedly occurred when Emhoff became jealous of his partner flirting with a valet worker at the Cannes Film Festival.
Three unnamed friends of the woman, described as a successful New York attorney, have come forward with the accusation. They claim that Emhoff struck her so hard that she spun around while waiting in a valet line after the event.
The sources, who requested anonymity due to fear of retaliation, provided photos and documents to corroborate the couple's trip to the south of France during the time of the alleged incident. They claim the altercation took place around 3 a.m. when the couple was trying to leave the event.
According to one friend, the woman had approached a valet, offering money to get to the front of the taxi line. Emhoff allegedly perceived this as flirting and proceeded to slap her. The woman reportedly slapped him back in response.
Following the incident, the woman is said to have called one of her friends, sobbing, while in a cab with Emhoff. The friend stated that she was unsure whether to contact French police and expressed confusion about how to handle the situation.
The couple had reportedly been dating for about three months at the time of the alleged incident. Friends claim that the relationship had progressed quickly, with the woman having already met Emhoff's children and parents.
The sources state that Emhoff ended the trip early to return to Los Angeles for his daughter's birthday. According to their accounts, the couple never saw each other again after this incident.
One friend commented on Emhoff's reaction to the altercation:
All he said to her was, 'Don't worry about it, you got one across the court and down the line.'
This allegation comes at a time when Emhoff has positioned himself as an ally for women. Just recently, he was credited in an interview with reshaping "the perception of masculinity" in his role as Second Gentleman.
The accusation also follows recent admissions by Emhoff regarding infidelity in his first marriage. In August, he acknowledged past actions that led to "tough times" in his previous relationship.
The friends who have come forward with this story express concern about the discrepancy between Emhoff's public image and their knowledge of his past behavior. One source stated:
He's holding himself out to be something he absolutely is not. And that's bulls--t.
These allegations raise questions about Emhoff's character and the potential impact on his role as Second Gentleman. The accusation of physical violence against a former partner contradicts his public stance as a supporter of women's rights. The story highlights the complexities of public figures' private lives and the potential consequences when past behavior comes to light.
