Jen Psaki is slammed for fawning over Doug Emhoff’s ‘reshaping of masculinity’ – despite getting his nanny pregnant
Jen Psaki has been criticized for fawning over Doug Emhoff, claiming his role as Vice President Kamala Harris’ husband has “reshaped the perception of masculinity.”
Psaki’s farcical comment comes just months after DailyMail.com exclusively revealed that Emhoff’s first marriage ended when he got his children’s nanny pregnant.
Emhoff, 59, had an affair with Najen Naylor, a teacher at his children’s school who also worked as a nanny for then-eight-year-old daughter Ella.
The affair cost him his first marriage, causing him and his first wife Kerstin, now CEO of ‘creative think tank’ Prettybird, to divorce in 2009.
Now, about a month away from the 2024 presidential election, the MSNBC political reporter and former White House press secretary said Emhoff is “an incredibly supportive husband.”
Jen Psaki has been criticized for fawning over Doug Emhoff, claiming his role as husband to Vice President Kamala Harris has ‘reshaped the perception of masculinity’
‘It’s funny, I’ve started thinking about this a lot. “I’ve always been like that, my dad was like that, and for me it’s the right thing to do, you know, supporting women – it’s mutual, with Kamala and I,” Emhoff said.
“Something that has always been – there has also been an important part, an interesting part of how people have talked about your role here is – how your role has reshaped the perception of masculinity,” Psaki said.
Emhoff immediately smiled at her and laughed as she added, “And I’m not sure if you intend to, but you are an incredibly supportive husband.”
“Has that been an evolution for you, and do you think that is part of the role you could play as first gentleman?”
Emhoff responded, “It’s funny, I’ve started thinking about this a lot. I’ve always been like that, my father was like that, and for me it’s the right thing to do, you know, supporting women – it’s mutual, for Kamala and me.
“We support each other, we support each other, and I’ve said it many times, when we lift women up, we support women, whether it’s pay equity, childcare, family leave and all these issues.
He added that even when he was in the business world, he “leveled up” the organizations he was involved with, just as Psaki “leveled up the White House” when she was there. (Photo: Harris and Emhoff hugging at the DNC in August)
“Women should not be less than, women should not have less rights and be treated differently, that is not the American way,” he added.
Emhoff added that even when he was in the business world, he “leveled up” the organizations he was involved with, just as Psaki “leveled up the White House” when she was there.
Psaki then called Emhoff “a proud wife” before asking him what he thought of his wife’s opponent, Donald Trump, who is “not very comfortable with fierce women.”
‘He also refuses to agree to a debate, no matter what she does [Harris] has already agreed to it. Do you think he’s afraid to argue with her?’
“Yes, it should be,” Emhoff replied.
Commentators were quick to respond to Psaki’s shocking description of Emhoff, as one said, “Emhoff was also married at the time. Let’s be clear about that. He has no morals, just like Kamala.”
“I can’t find anything masculine about him,” wrote another.
“There isn’t a man alive who believes that Doug Emhoff, of all people, reshaped the ‘perception of masculinity,’” said one commenter.
Someone else argued that “this is the craziest thing” Psaki has said.
“Are you really talking about the perception of masculinity, Ms. Psaki? You must have more important things to do,” said another.
News of Emhoff’s affair with his ex-wife broke just hours after his name and face were thrust into the spotlight, when his wife’s campaign unveiled new coffee mugs depicting a handsome, noticeably younger, thinner and fuller-haired second gentleman. for sale at kamalaharris.com.
Within hours, the Harris campaign had gone on the defensive, with Emhoff admitting to the affair and claiming he told Kamala years ago and also disclosed the affair to Joe Biden’s camp as it vetted 2020 vice presidential candidates .
Emhoff, 59, (center-right) and film producer ex-wife Kerstin, 57, (center-left) ended their 16-year marriage in 2009 when she discovered the affair, the sources said. Their daughter Ella (right) was 10 at the time and son Cole (left) was 15
When DailyMail.com contacted Naylor, she would not comment on her relationship with Emhoff or the baby. “I’m kind of panicking right now,” she said
“During my first marriage, Kerstin and I went through some tough times because of my actions,” Emhoff sheepishly admitted after the DailyMail.com exclusive.
“I took responsibility, and in the years since, we’ve gotten through things as a family and come out stronger on the other side.”
But even if Harris, 59, had known, it still made her “nervous and humiliated” just two weeks after it became clear she would be the Democrat’s presidential choice in 2024, an insider said.
“She’s trying to focus on changing her image and this is the last thing she wanted right now.
“To put it bluntly, it’s not looking good, and Harris and her team know it. News of the affair dominated news coverage of the candidate over the weekend and caused panic in her camp,” they said.
Even a statement from his first wife supporting him didn’t help much.
“Doug and I decided to end our marriage many years ago for various reasons,” says Kerstin (57).
“He is a wonderful father to our children, he remains a wonderful friend to me and I am very proud of the warm and supportive blended family that Doug, Kamala and I have built together.”
Naylor, now 47, moved from California to the East Coast shortly after the affair ended.
She now lives in the millionaire’s playground of the Hamptons, New York.
She did not try to deny the affair when approached by DailyMail.com at her home.
Sources told DailyMail.com that Naylor (far left) was Ella’s nanny at the time she became pregnant. She worked first as a teaching assistant and then as a teacher at the Willows
Her only comment was that she was “kind of panicking now.”
But a close friend with direct knowledge of the affair and the pregnancy told DailyMail.com that Naylor did not keep the child, while CBS has since reported that the pregnancy ended in miscarriage.
Another friend, Stacey Brooks, who became a mother to twins around the same time Naylor was expecting, also did not deny any of the claims but said she would not release any further information without Naylor’s permission.
Emhoff and 57-year-old film producer ex-wife Kerstin ended their 16-year marriage in 2009 when she discovered the affair, the sources said. Their daughter Ella was 10 at the time and son Cole was 15.
Sources told DailyMail.com that after the affair, Naylor had to leave her job at the children’s posh private school, The Willows in Culver City, California, where she worked first as a teacher and then as a teacher.
Emhoff met Harris, then California’s attorney general, three years later in 2013, when he was set up on a blind date by one of her friends. They married the following year.
It is not clear whether he confessed his affair to Harris before his second wife underwent vetting to become vice president, or whether this is when it came to light.