Doug Emhoff 'reshaped the perception of masculinity': MSNBC
MSNBC host Jen Psaki asked Second Gentleman Doug Emhoff about redefining the view of masculinity by openly supporting his wife Vice President Kamala Harris.
Social media critics are dragging second gentleman Doug Emhoff for his previously admitted affair with his family’s nanny after he joined MSNBC host Jen Psaki for an interview where he was lauded for reshaping "the perception of masculinity."
"Psaki to Doug Emhoff: ‘You reshaped the perception of masculinity’ PS: He impregnated his kid's nanny," popular conservative X account End Wokeness posted Sunday.
The account was reacting to a snippet from Emhoff’s interview with Psaki, who previously served as President Biden’s White House press secretary before joining MSNBC, where Psaki heaped praise on Emhoff for reshaping masculinity.
KAMALA HARRIS' HUSBAND DOUG EMHOFF 'RESHAPED THE PERCEPTION OF MASCULINITY': MSNBC HOST
Emhoff commented on being considered a "wife guy." (MSNBC screenshot)
"There is also an important, interesting part about how people have talked about your role is how your role has reshaped the perception of masculinity," Psaki said. "I’m not sure you planned on that, but you are an incredibly supportive spouse. Has that been an evolution for you? Do you think that’s part of the role you might play as first gentleman?"
"It’s funny. I’ve started to think a lot about this. I’ve always been like this. My dad’s always been like this. To me, it’s the right thing to do, support women. It is mutual with Kamala and I. We support each other, we have each other’s back," Emhoff responded.
He added, "I’ve said many times when we lift up women, we support women, whether it’s pay equity, child care, family leave, and all of these issues in this post-Dobbs hellscape. Women should not be less than. Women should not have less rights and be treated differently. That’s not the American way."
Clips of the exchange spread like wildfire on social media as critics cited that just last month, Emhoff admitted to having an affair with his family’s nanny during his first marriage years ago. The nanny’s close friend claimed to the media that the nanny became pregnant during the affair with Emhoff, but did not keep the baby.
Critics also slammed Psaki for the "softball interiew."
"Emhoff also once impregnated his child's nanny. Jen still says she's a journalist," Fox News contributor Joe Concha posted on X in reaction to the clip.
Psaki continued in the interview that aired Sunday by asking Emhoff if he's familiar with "a pop-culture phrase, ‘wife guy,’ which you’ve kind of been known as."
Vice President Kamala Harris hugs second gentleman Doug Emhoff after speaking at the Democratic National Convention in Chicago on Aug. 22, 2024. (Mandel Ngan/AFP via Getty Images)
"I have heard about it," Emhoff said.
"A ‘wife guy,’ a ‘proud wife guy.’ How do you feel about it?" she asked.
DOUG EMHOFF’S EX-WIFE RESPONDS AFTER SECOND GENTLEMAN ADMITTED TO AFFAIR WITH NANNY
Emhoff joked, "If I do something annoying to Kamala, and she gets upset, I’ll just show her that article."
Second gentleman Doug Emhoff speaks alongside Vice President Kamala Harris during a reception celebrating Jewish American Heritage Month in the Rose Garden of the White House on May 20, 2024. (Getty Images)
Emhoff admitted to having an affair with his family's nanny shortly after the Daily Mail published a report in August that he got his daughter's nanny pregnant. The nanny's close friend told the outlet that she did not keep the baby, but did not elaborate further.
The affair with a nanny occurred before Emhoff's relationship with and eventual marriage to Harris.
"During my first marriage, Kerstin and I went through some tough times on account of my actions. I took responsibility, and in the years since, we worked through things as a family and have come out stronger on the other side," Emhoff said over the summer, acknowledging the affair, but not naming the nanny.
HOW KAMALA HARRIS' HUSBAND'S CHEATING SCANDAL COULD HELP TRUMP, EXPERT SAYS
Emhoff and his first wife, Kerstin Emhoff, were married from 1992 to 2008 and share two adult children. Harris married Emhoff in 2014, and helped co-parent his children, who call their stepmom "mommala."
The divorce cited "irreconcilable differences" as the motivation behind parting ways, the New York Post reported.
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
Harris knew about the affair before they married, and the Biden 2020 campaign knew about it when it was vetting her for Biden's vice presidential pick.
Fox News Digital reached out to the Harris campaign for comment on the interview and social media reactions as well as for comment on the affair itself, but did not immediately receive a response.
Fox News Digital's Lindsay Kornick contributed to this report.
More from Politics
Fox News Politics
Get the latest updates from the 2024 campaign trail, exclusive interviews and more Fox News politics content.
By entering your email and clicking the Subscribe button, you agree to the Fox News Privacy Policy and Terms of Use, and agree to receive content and promotional communications from Fox News. You understand that you can opt-out at any time.