Fox News Chief Political Anchor Bret Baier believes the physical abuse allegations swirling around Second Gentleman Doug Emhoff deserve further investigation.
And, if Baier had time last week, he might even ask Vice President Kamala Harris about the claims in his hit primetime interview with her.
The meeting drew nearly 8 million viewers on Fox News Channel, a polarized media response and open mockery of Saturday Night Live.
The interview was called “combative” by critics and refreshing by others, as Baier attempted to pin Harris down on central campaign issues: illegal immigration, the state of the economy and her support for controversial gender transition surgeries. financed by taxpayers, among others. other issues.
Speaking exclusively to DailyMail.com, Baier now says that going into the interview, he knew Harris would try to evade his direct questions: “I watched her previous interviews… I tried to do it in a way that took her off of her talking points.” .’
It was the same interview ‘style’ Baier said he used against President Donald Trump in their last face-to-face in 2023.
Fox News Chief Political Anchor Bret Baier believes the physical abuse allegations swirling around Second Gentleman Doug Emhoff deserve further investigation.
Speaking exclusively to DailyMail.com, Baier now says that going into the interview, he knew Harris would try to evade his direct questions: “I watched her previous interviews… I tried to do it in a way that took her off of her talking points.” .’
But it was the question Baier didn’t ask that caught the attention of Mail columnist Maureen Callahan.
‘What’s wrong with Doug?’ Callahan demanded in an article published last week.
Earlier this month, the Mail reported that in May 2012 Emhoff allegedly punched his then-girlfriend in the face so hard that she turned around, while they waited in a valet line outside a Cannes Film Festival party. .
A spokesperson for Emhoff denied the claim, saying “any suggestion that he would ever hit a woman is false.”
The abuse allegation followed the Mail’s earlier report that Emhoff had cheated on his first wife with his family’s nanny, Najen Naylor, allegedly getting her pregnant.
Emhoff has since admitted to the extramarital affair that led to their divorce before marrying Harris in 2014. He has not commented on whether or not he and Naylor conceived.
Baier now says he considered asking Harris about this report.
“It was on the list of questions and I have followed the Daily Mail’s reporting on it,” he said. It was on the list. Some of the other hot topics are already behind us.”
The other concerns Baier hoped to grill Harris about included her proposal to impose new taxes on wealthy Americans, her policies toward China and how she would unite a fiercely divided country should she win the election.
These and other issues rank high among voters’ concerns.
“I think immigration was what I led because it comes up again and again when we ask people: What is most important (for your vote in 2024),” he explained.
The reunion drew nearly 8 million viewers on Fox News Channel, a polarized media response, and even open mockery from Saturday Night Live (above).
The Mail reported that in May 2012, Emhoff allegedly punched his then-girlfriend in the face so hard that she turned around, while they waited in a valet line outside a Cannes Film Festival party.
That said, the Fox News host believes some in the mainstream media may have partisan motivations for overlooking Emhoff’s allegations.
“I think it’s fair to ask those questions, especially with strong support, and obviously ask for an answer,” he said.
Baier concluded that it is “pretty clear” that the wife of a Republican political figure would “probably” not receive the same treatment that Emhoff has received from a sympathetic mainstream media.
But that could all change if Emhoff’s alleged victim came forward and spoke publicly about her accusations, he said: “I think if that story evolves into someone speaking out, not anonymously, maybe that will change the dynamic.”
Looking ahead, Baier is looking for another opportunity to interview the vice president and doesn’t rule out asking the question: What’s up with Doug?
“I’m not going to commit to anything… We’ll have to see how the interview goes,” Baier said, noting that Harris’ team has also not committed to a follow-up interview.