Second gentleman Doug Emhoff seemed to acknowledge the rumors that, before he started dating Vice President Kamala Harris, he had an affair in his previous marriage.
The tabloid Daily Mail published the initial accusations of Emhoff’s affair, and the second man confirmed the story in a statement.
“My actions during my first marriage caused Kerstin and I to go through some difficult times,” Emhoff stated in a statement that NBC News eventually received after CNN initially reported it. “I accepted responsibility, and in the years that followed, our family overcame adversity and emerged stronger.”
As Emhoff was viewed as Biden’s running mate in 2020, those who handled Harris’s background checks were aware of her affair, according to a person with knowledge of the matter. According to the source, Harris was aware of the affair before her marriage to Emhoff.
Kerstin Emhoff, Emhoff’s first wife, stated in a statement that the couple chose to divorce “many years ago for a variety of reasons.”
She went on, “I am incredibly proud of the loving and encouraging blended family that Doug, Kamala, and I have created. He continues to be a terrific friend to me and a great parent to our children.”
The vice president has not yet addressed the affair claims in public.
Over the weekend, Harris’ campaign is screening potential running mates. Harris intends to begin a seven-state tour with her chosen running mate on Tuesday.