Doug Emhoff, the husband of Vice President Kamala Harris, is facing serious allegations from over a decade ago. According to a report from DailyMail.com, Emhoff is accused of slapping a former girlfriend during the Cannes Film Festival in May 2012.
The alleged incident took place while the couple was waiting for a valet after attending a gala. At the time, they had been dating for about three months after meeting on Match.com, though the woman, referred to as Jane in the report, has not been publicly named. Friends of Jane, who chose to remain anonymous due to fears of retaliation, shared their accounts with the outlet.
The report surfaces as Emhoff actively supports Harris on the campaign trail ahead of the presidential election, where he could potentially become the first gentleman if she wins. The alleged incident reportedly happened prior to Harris and Emhoff’s meeting in 2013. They got married in 2014.
According to Jane’s friends, she had attended the Foundation for AIDS Research Gala Dinner in Antibes and brought Emhoff as her guest. Photos from the event show them together. One friend recounted that Jane called him in tears shortly after the incident and debated whether to contact authorities.
Details shared suggest that after a night of drinking, Jane tried to skip the long taxi line by offering money to a valet, which Emhoff misinterpreted as flirting. The report claims he slapped her in response, leading her to slap him back. Jane reportedly ended the relationship that same night.
Another friend corroborated the story, describing Jane’s shock and anger following the incident. This account was also noted during a time when Harris was in the spotlight for her questioning of Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh regarding allegations of sexual misconduct.
In a separate context, Emhoff recently admitted to having an affair during his first marriage, a detail that was publicized earlier this year. He expressed regret for his past actions but noted that he and his ex-wife, Kerstin Emhoff, have built a supportive co-parenting relationship since their divorce in 2010.
As the campaign progresses, this allegation adds to the narrative surrounding Emhoff’s personal life, raising concerns and sparking discussions about past behaviors.