The second gentleman Douglas Emhoff is confronting serious accusations following a report that claims he slapped an ex-girlfriend during a trip to France in 2012.
Fox News reported that the allegations surfaced in a report by the Daily Mail, which cites unnamed sources alleging the incident took place following a disagreement during the trip.
Emhoff has not directly refuted the accusations but rather has dismissed them as "distractions" meant to derail his wife's presidential campaign.
According to the Daily Mail, the accusation outlines that the incident occurred in a valet line where the ex-girlfriend, identified pseudonymously as "Jane," reportedly flirted with a valet, leading to the altercation.
The report rests on accounts from three anonymous friends of the alleged victim, who claim to have provided corroborating evidence such as photos and travel itineraries.
An unnamed representative for Emhoff earlier communicated to Semafor that any suggestion implicating him in the alleged incident is "untrue." The representatives categorically stated, "Any suggestion that he would or has ever hit a woman is false." Media outlets have not been able to independently verify these claims.
Douglas Emhoff himself expressed his stance during a public statement, emphasizing that his team's focus remains on pressing national concerns.
"We don’t have time to be pissed off," Emhoff remarked, underscoring that these reports were fabricated to divert attention from essential issues.
Mainstream media outlets have largely refrained from covering the story. Leading newspapers such as The New York Times have chosen not to engage with the details of the accusation, leaving much of the discussion to the speculative realm inhabited by tabloids.
Trump, upon learning of the situation, offered his commentary, stating that had the allegations been levied against him, they would have achieved significant media coverage. "If [the allegations] were made about me, it would be the greatest story in the last five years," remarked Trump, hinting at a perceived media bias.
Efforts to gather comments from the Harris campaign, the Office of the Vice President, or Emhoff’s ex-wife Kerstin Emhoff have all been unsuccessful. Fox News reported that they have not received any responses from these parties regarding the allegations.
The Daily Mail's exclusive report seems to stand alone as the primary source of the allegations, leaving a void of corroborated evidence or official statements from involved parties. The publication cited aforementioned friends of "Jane," who reiterated the claim that Emhoff "hauled up and slapped her so hard she spun around."
While the anonymous sources have presented their version of events, the lack of independent verification has left the story in limbo in terms of public acceptance or rejection.
Despite these claims, Emhoff has remained vocal about maintaining a focus on broader political goals.
He conveyed a sense of responsibility, highlighting the stakes involved and the future of American politics.
Emhoff’s vehement denial aligns with a narrative that frames the allegations as politically motivated distractions. "We understand the stakes. We understand the responsibility. Our very country. Our future," he asserted, pointing toward larger themes of duty and national focus.
Various media outlets and public figures such as Trump have provided their perspectives, yet the crux of the story centers on accusations from unnamed sources and Emhoff's robust denial. As mainstream outlets distance themselves, the matter rests on informal accounts and a singular, controversial report.
