Former President Donald Trump criticized various media outlets for not covering reports of second gentleman Doug Emhoff allegedly physically abusing a girlfriend in 2012. Trump suggested that if the accusations were against him, it would have been a major news story. Emhoff was said to have forcefully slapped a former girlfriend after an event at the Cannes Film Festival, but the media did not focus on this during his recent interviews.
Emhoff had previously faced controversy regarding the implosion of his first marriage after allegedly impregnating his child’s nanny. While Emhoff did not deny this report, he acknowledged that he and his first wife went through tough times due to his actions. Despite these previous accusations, Emhoff was praised for reshaping the perception of masculinity during an interview by former White House press secretary Jen Psaki. However, reports indicate that Emhoff had allegedly physically assaulted his then-girlfriend, with multiple sources corroborating the incident.
An initial report about Emhoff’s abuse allegations surfaced in the Daily Mail, but major news outlets such as CBS News, ABC News, Time, Politico, and others have not covered the story. This lack of coverage led media personalities like Chris Cuomo to suggest that if it had been Trump instead of Emhoff facing the accusations, it would have received widespread attention. Emhoff has also been accused of being overly flirtatious with women while leading the Los Angeles office of a law firm, hiring a model as his secretary, and favoring young, attractive female staff.
Despite the allegations against Emhoff, Vice President Kamala Harris, his wife, has not publicly addressed the issue. Harris has been a vocal advocate for believing women, especially in cases of sexual abuse, yet journalists have not questioned her on whether she would hold her husband to the same standard. Emhoff and Harris appeared together at an event commemorating an anniversary, but the claims against Emhoff were not brought up during their appearance. The couple has continued with their official duties, with Harris participating in podcasts discussing topics such as prosecuting sex and domestic violence perpetrators.
The controversy surrounding Emhoff’s alleged abuse and inappropriate behavior has raised questions about the media’s coverage of such incidents. Trump’s criticism of the lack of attention given to these reports reflects a larger issue of selective reporting in the media. The allegations against Emhoff have not been widely covered, despite the seriousness of the accusations and the potential impact on his public image. As the story continues to unfold, it remains to be seen whether Harris will address the allegations against her husband and how the media will respond to this evolving narrative.
