AOC Praises Doug Emhoff’s “Masculinity” Amid Controversies, Drawing Mixed Reactions

During a recent campaign stop in Las Vegas, Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (AOC) praised Doug Emhoff, the husband of Vice President Kamala Harris, for embodying “masculinity” and “values,” despite his recent controversies. Speaking to students at the University of Nevada, AOC called Emhoff a “model of the modern male” and commended his supportive role as the country’s second gentleman.

“He’s not afraid to embody and pass on these values of security and this idea that you can, you can let your girl shine,” AOC said, referring to Emhoff’s support for Harris. “We should all be really, really proud of him.” She went on to suggest that Emhoff’s behavior offers a refreshing contrast to traditional stereotypes about masculinity, noting, “A lot of ideas of what being a man means putting a woman down or putting queer people down.”

Emhoff, she argued, rejects that mindset, demonstrating instead “real masculinity” by standing “beside the vice president’s side and lifting her up.” AOC’s remarks come amid a wave of unflattering reports surrounding Emhoff’s past. Over the summer, reports alleged that during his first marriage to Kerstin Emhoff, Doug had an affair with the family’s nanny, Najen Naylor, who reportedly became pregnant. Although Naylor did not deny the story, Emhoff later addressed the situation, stating, “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.” The Daily Mail reported that Naylor did not keep the child, though her social media contains videos featuring a young girl named Brook.

Further allegations emerged about a 2012 incident in which a woman claimed that Emhoff slapped her during an argument at the Cannes Film Festival. According to her account, Emhoff allegedly struck her hard enough to cause her to spin around. Emhoff’s spokesperson denied these claims.

Ocasio-Cortez’s glowing endorsement of Emhoff has drawn considerable backlash online, with critics questioning her choice to praise him in light of the recent allegations. Some social media users felt her comments contradicted her advocacy for women’s rights, suggesting she overlooked allegations of misconduct to maintain political alliances.

One user commented, “She can’t believe in women’s causes and praise Emhoff after the allegations that have surfaced,” while another added, “How could any woman endorse Doug Emhoff’s behavior with his horrific violations against women?”

The Daily Mail reported, Other responses criticized AOC’s characterization of Emhoff as an ideal partner, with one user remarking, “I wouldn’t want a fiancée or wife like her. She doesn’t seem like the kind of lady who’d be at my side and work with me as a team.” Another quipped, “Dems love to be lied to by their politicians. It makes them happy that some people actually think politicians are honest.”

While Ocasio-Cortez has not addressed the backlash directly, her remarks highlight the complexities and scrutiny that surround public figures and their personal lives, especially those who play supportive roles in political partnerships. For now, AOC’s Las Vegas remarks have sparked ongoing discussions among supporters and critics alike, underscoring the heightened sensitivity around public endorsements and the impact of personal controversies on political personas.