Lady Gaga: Doug Emhoff 'knows how to support a powerful woman'

by · Mail Online

Pop star and actress Lady Gaga glowingly introduced Kamala Harris' husband Doug Emhoff on Monday, praising his record of supporting women despite allegations of physically abusing a woman he used to date.

The pop star surprised Harris supporters at a rally in Philadelphia on the final day of the presidential campaign and after playing American the Beautiful, she introduced the Second Gentleman.

"Now it my privilege to introduce someone who knows how to support a powerful woman. The soon to be first first gentleman of the United States," she said as the crowd cheered.

Emhoff's usually positive image took a blow after the Daily Mail reported allegations from a woman who said the First Gentleman slapped her in the face when they were dating, prior to his marriage with Harris.

US singer Lady Gaga waves before performing during a campaign rally by US Vice President and Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris
The pop star surprised Harris supporters at a rally in Philadelphia on the final day of the presidential campaign

The woman claimed that Emhoff 'slapped me so hard I spun around' when the pair were at an event at the Cannes Film Festival in 2012.

A spokesperson for Emhoff told Semafor that 'this report is untrue,' and that 'any suggestion that he would or has ever hit a woman is false.'

Lady Gaga's endorsement of Emhoff took place despite her 2017 #ItsOnUs campaign with President Joe Biden to end violence against women.

'It can be terrifying waking up every day feeling unsafe in your own body, but we're here to remind you that it's important to reach out to someone in your life that you can trust,' the famous singer said solemnly in a PSA video she filmed with Biden.

"No man has a right to raise a hand on a woman for an reason other than self-defense. Ever. Period," Biden said as Lady Gaga sat next to the then-vice president with her hand on his shoulder.

US singer Lady Gaga performed during a campaign rally by US Vice President and Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris
Kamala Harris shook hands with Lady Gaga's husband Michael Polansky at the campaign rally
Democratic presidential nominee Vice President Kamala Harris, left, shares a laugh with second gentleman Doug Emhoff, after reuniting in Pittsburgh, Monday, Nov. 4, 2024,

Monday night in Philadelphia, Lady Gaga did not mention the allegations against Emhoff, but spoke about empowering women to vote.

"For over half of this country's life women didn't have a voice, yet we raised children, we kept our families together we supported men as they made the decisions but tomorrow women will be a part of making this decision," she said, praising the "tough tenacious women" who raised her.

"The country is depending on you so tomorrow make sure all your voices are heard," she said.