Video call event organized by Harris supporters, titled “Black Gay and Queer Men for Harris,” Second Gentleman Doug Emhoff shared the moment he learned about President Joe Biden’s decision to exit the 2024 presidential race.
Emhoff, the husband of Vice President Kamala Harris, recounted the story to supporters on Thursday, revealing that he was in a SoulCycle class with friends in West Hollywood, California, when Biden’s announcement broke. According to the Los Angeles Times, Emhoff’s phone was left in his car during the workout, so he initially missed the news.
After the class, Emhoff and his friends went for coffee. It was then that his friend’s partner alerted him to Biden’s announcement. “My friend’s partner said, ‘Um, you need to look at this,’ and I said, ‘What?’” Emhoff recounted during the video call. He was then shown Biden’s letter to the country, confirming his exit from the race.
Without his phone at hand, Emhoff rushed to his car to retrieve it, only to find it flooded with messages. “Of course my phone is just on fire, and it’s basically, ‘Call Kamala,’ ‘Call Kamala,’ ‘Call Kamala,’ from everyone,” he continued. “And of course, the first thing [Harris] said was, ‘Where the … were you? I need you.’”
Since Biden’s announcement, life has been a whirlwind for Emhoff and his family. The Vice President and Emhoff, who wed in 2014, have faced increased scrutiny, particularly regarding Harris’s personal life. Biden endorsed Harris as the new Democratic nominee shortly after his withdrawal, leading to heightened media attention.
One of the criticisms Harris has faced is her lack of biological children. A 2021 clip of Sen. JD Vance (R-Ohio), GOP nominee Donald Trump’s vice presidential pick, recently resurfaced, in which he referred to Harris as one of the “childless cat ladies” running the country. In response, Emhoff’s ex-wife, Kerstin Emhoff, defended Harris publicly. Speaking to New York Times White House reporter Katie Rogers, she described the GOP attacks as “baseless.”
“For over 10 years, since Cole and Ella were teenagers, Kamala has been a co-parent with Doug and I,” Kerstin Emhoff stated. “She is loving, nurturing, fiercely protective, and always present. I love our blended family and am grateful to have her in it.”
As the political landscape continues to shift, Emhoff and Harris remain united, navigating the challenges and changes together.
