Doug Emhoff slammed by Republicans for ... hugging his daughter Ella at DNC
Seemingly grasping at straws, conservatives are trying to attack the vice president’s husband for hugging his daughter
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Republicans are strangely bashing second gentleman Doug Emhoff for hugging his daughter Ella at the first night of the Democratic National Convention.
On Monday evening, Democrats gathered for the first night of the DNC in Chicago, where Harris’ husband was spotted hugging his daughter — a move that launched conservative pundits into a social media frenzy.
Turning Point USA co-founder Charlie Kirkposted a photo of the father-daughter pair embracing along with the sarcastic caption: “Totally not weird.”
Kirk seems to be trying to turn the tables on Democrats, including Harris and her running mate Tim Walz, who have repeatedly labeled Donald Trump and JD Vance “weird.”
Conservative political commentator Benny Johnson also chimed in, writing on X: “‘Second Gentelman’ (sic) Doug Emhoff and his daughter.. Creepy.”
Executive Director of Women for America First Kylie Jane Kremer also commented on the interaction alongside the clip. “Kamala’s ‘husband’ and her step daughter at the DNC,” she wrote. “Are we sure Doug only slept with the nanny? I’m getting some strange vibes between these two.”
Kremer was referring to the affair that the second gentleman had during his first marriage, before he had met or was married to Harris. He acknowledged the romantic relationship last month.
While conservatives have been fixated on making the father-daughter hug something nefarious, some social media users have pointed to Trump’s strange treatment toward his daughter Ivanka.
In a 2006 interview on The View while sitting next to his daughter, Trump said: “If Ivanka weren’t my daughter, perhaps I’d be dating her.”
In New York criminal court in May, porn star Stormy Daniels testified about her sexual encounter with Trump one year into his marriage with his then-pregnant wife Melania. She recalled Trump telling her in a hotel room in 2006: “You remind me of my daughter… Smart, blonde and beautiful.”
One social media user replied to Kirk’s tweet with a photo of Trump looking at Ivanka’s body while he has her hands on her waist: “It’s okay to recognize there are some innings you should just sit out, Chuck.”
Another posted a clip of the same moment between Trump and his daughter, writing sarcastically: “Frisking is more acceptable.”
“This is creepy,” yet another remarked on the Trump family exchange.
The latest attacks around Harris’s family come after a past clip of Vance resurfaced, capturing him calling the vice president a “childless cat lady” — despite the fact that she has two stepchildren.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments