Doug Emhoff, the husband of Vice President Kamala Harris and the nation’s Second Gentleman, has recently come under fire after former female coworkers accused him of misogyny and workplace harassment. These claims, which include instances of verbal abuse and inappropriate behavior, paint a stark contrast to the public image Emhoff has cultivated as a supportive and progressive male figure in politics.
The accusations come just weeks after former White House press secretary Jen Psaki praised Emhoff for “reshaping the perception of masculinity.” However, this image has been called into question as disturbing allegations from his past emerge, bringing his behavior into the spotlight.
According to a report from the Daily Mail, several former female coworkers at Emhoff’s previous law firm, Venable LLP, have accused him of inappropriate conduct in the workplace. One of the most troubling accusations comes from a woman who recalled an incident where Emhoff reportedly screamed profanities at a female colleague.
The woman explained that the incident occurred when the colleague attempted to ask Emhoff a question. “She had to ask him something,” the source said. “His office door was closed. She said to his secretary, ‘Is he on the phone?’ She said no. She tapped on the door, he didn’t answer, so she slightly opened the door and stuck her head in.”
What followed was an explosive reaction from Emhoff, who allegedly yelled, “Get the f–k out of my office.” The former coworker claimed that what made the situation worse was Emhoff’s decision to brag about the incident to firm management, who were reportedly “aghast” at his behavior. The woman said, “He told them how he had ‘put her in her place,’ like he was proud of it.”
This former coworker characterized Emhoff as “an a–hole” and “a misogynist” who seemed to relish asserting dominance over female staff members.
Another woman who worked with Emhoff described him as “very flirty” and explained that those who didn’t reciprocate his advances often found themselves on his “s–t list.” This description implies a workplace environment where women felt pressured to engage in behavior that they were uncomfortable with to maintain professional standing or avoid Emhoff’s wrath.
In addition to the flirty behavior, a third former colleague revealed that Emhoff had hosted cocktail parties on Friday evenings for years, but only invited male colleagues. This practice, which seems to have excluded female staff members from networking opportunities, raises further concerns about the gender dynamics Emhoff fostered in the workplace.
These allegations of workplace harassment have resurfaced alongside a previous accusation of physical assault. In an earlier report by the Daily Mail, Emhoff was accused of forcefully slapping an ex-girlfriend in 2012 during an argument after the pair attended a gala at the Cannes Film Festival.
According to a friend of the alleged victim, Emhoff had become upset after his ex-girlfriend was seen flirting with another man. The source described the moment, saying, “Doug comes up, turned her around by her right shoulder, and she was completely caught off guard. He hauled up and slapped her so hard she spun around.”
This violent altercation raises serious questions about Emhoff’s character and self-control in emotionally charged situations. Although these claims are from over a decade ago, they remain a troubling part of his history.
The recent accusations against Emhoff also add to a pattern of personal issues that have followed him. As previously reported by Breitbart, Emhoff admitted to cheating on his first wife, Kerstin, during their marriage. He acknowledged the infidelity in a statement to CNN, saying, “During my first marriage, Kerstin and I went through some tough times on account of my actions.”
Emhoff further claimed that he and his ex-wife had since worked through those challenges and emerged stronger as a family. However, the infidelity adds to a growing list of behaviors that paint Emhoff as someone with a problematic relationship history, both personally and professionally.
These allegations present a stark contrast to the public image that Emhoff has carefully cultivated as the country’s first Second Gentleman. In recent months, Emhoff has been praised for embracing traditionally “feminine” roles as the spouse of Vice President Kamala Harris. He has actively promoted initiatives that champion gender equality, anti-bullying efforts, and family support, drawing widespread admiration for his progressive stance on modern masculinity.
However, the claims made by former colleagues suggest that Emhoff’s personal conduct behind closed doors may not align with the values he espouses in public. The allegations of misogyny, workplace harassment, and physical violence suggest a darker side to the Second Gentleman that conflicts with his reputation as a model for progressive masculinity.
These revelations could have broader implications for Vice President Kamala Harris, who has worked hard to project a progressive image, particularly in her advocacy for gender equality and women’s rights. As her husband faces allegations of misogyny and inappropriate conduct, Harris may find herself in the uncomfortable position of having to address these accusations publicly.
For now, Emhoff has not directly responded to the latest allegations, and it remains unclear how the Biden-Harris administration will handle the fallout. What is certain is that the public perception of Emhoff, and possibly the administration as a whole, could be affected by the growing scrutiny surrounding his past behavior.
