When Kamala Harris admitted her humiliating defeat Wednesday in a speech at Howard University in Washington, D.C., her husband Doug Emhoff was first on her list of people to thank.
‘To my beloved Doug and our family, I love you so much. “To President Biden and Dr. Biden, thank you for your faith and support,” he declared to the crowd of crying Democrats.
At 60, few could blame Harris if she hopes to step out of the spotlight after such a grueling presidential race. After all, since becoming Joe Biden’s embattled vice president in 2021 and then presidential candidate in July, life has been a whirlwind of crises and campaigns, with surely little time to think about anything else.
But for Harris, known by her colleagues for her tireless drive, stepping away from the slings and arrows of the campaign trail may not be as appealing as it seems.
Because as the curtain falls on her time in the White House, the Democrats’ golden girl may find herself with more time to think and confront some lingering—and undoubtedly uncomfortable—questions surrounding her personal life with her “beloved” husband. Doug.
When Kamala Harris admitted her humiliating defeat Wednesday in a speech at Howard University in Washington, D.C., her husband Doug Emhoff was first on her list of people to thank.
Emhoff, whose noble career as a prominent California lawyer involved representing an arms dealer selling to Afghanistan, Big Pharma and a nightclub owner accused of sexual harassment and sexual assault, quit his job to fully support the ambitions Harris’ policies in 2020.
It was a decision she described as “obvious,” adding, “I really decided to lean into this issue of men supporting women, professionally and personally, so they can be successful, even if it means walking away from my own career.” .’
Since then, he has been hell-bent on perfecting his “wifey” image. Emhoff became a prominent presence on the campaign trail, always at his wife’s side, sharing their private moments on social media, from cooking Thanksgiving dinner together to giving Harris a rose at work on Valentine’s Day. Valentine.
Harris, for his part, spoke often of his deep affection for Emhoff and his blended family. Her children, Cole and Ella, whom Harris calls “hers,” appear to support their stepmother unconditionally, often publicly expressing their admiration for both their father and their “Momala.” “They are bright, talented, fun kids who have grown into extraordinary adults,” Harris wrote in 2019. “I was already hooked on Doug, but I think it was Cole and Ella who got me.”
“Sometimes we joke that our modern family is almost too functional,” Harris said on another occasion.
But behind the social media posts and carefully curated campaign photos, even the strongest relationships can face challenges.
Over the summer, DailyMail.com exclusively reported on a series of allegations surrounding Emhoff that Harris deftly brushed aside during the home stretch of her political journey.
In August, we reported that Emhoff had had an affair with his daughter’s nanny while he was still married to his first wife, film producer Kerstin Mackin, an affair that allegedly resulted in a pregnancy and subsequent miscarriage. A source claimed that Emhoff paid the nanny $80,000 in exchange for her signing a confidentiality agreement and that the affair influenced his divorce from Kerstin in 2009.
But the controversy did not end there. In October, an ex-girlfriend of Emhoff came forward, alleging a disturbing incident during a high-profile event in Cannes, France, in May 2012. According to her, Emhoff slapped her so hard in the face that the blow sent her spinning around. ,’ leaving her shocked and disoriented.
“(Emhoff) comes over and twists my right shoulder,” he told the Mail.
“I’m completely shocked, I’m not wearing four-inch heels, I’m wearing a long dress and it’s between 2 and 3 in the morning. He slaps me so hard that I turn around and am in complete shock.
Emhoff has since admitted to the extramarital affair, saying that “during my first marriage, Kerstin and I went through difficult times because of my actions.” I took responsibility and in the years since, we got through things as a family and came out stronger on the other side.’
But he has denied, through an unnamed spokesperson, ever slapping his girlfriend, who said: “Any suggestion that (Emhoff) had ever punched or punched a woman is false.”
Emhoff slapped an ex-girlfriend (pictured left) so hard across the face that the blow ‘spinned her around’, leaving her shocked and disoriented.
In August, we reported that Emhoff had had an affair with his daughter’s nanny (pictured) while he was still married to his first wife, film producer Kerstin Mackin, an affair that reportedly resulted in a pregnancy and subsequent miscarriage. .
If those allegations weren’t troubling enough, Emhoff also faced reports from his former colleagues at the Los Angeles law firm Venable, where he worked from 2006 to 2017.
They described a work culture marked by misogyny, claiming that Emhoff allegedly yelled profanities, hosted a men-only cocktail hour in the office, revoked work benefits for women who did not flirt with him, and preferred that only young, attractive associates accompany him to work. their activities. limousines for professional events.
Harris has remained conspicuously quiet and has never publicly commented on any of the allegations.
Perhaps she was too focused on her tireless efforts throughout the campaign to project an image of a perfect family.
But as Harris prepares to leave the hustle and bustle of the White House, with more time to slow down and regroup, the troubling questions surrounding her husband’s past that were so easily brushed aside during his political rise may well come to the fore. plan of your agenda. mind.
And certainly, for any wife, these are not easy accusations to face.
So, as Harris inevitably faces difficult decisions about her future, her career may not be the only thing she’s reevaluating.