Get updates delivered to you daily. Free and customizable.
The US Sun
Doug Emhoff is caught in awkward live moment with son Cole on DNC stage before being slammed for ‘cringe’ speech
By Alexandra Chomik,
5 hours ago
SECOND gentleman Doug Emhoff and his son were left red-faced after an awkward live TV moment caught during Tuesday’s Democratic National Convention.
Emhoff took to the stage to shake his son Cole’s hand before what some viewers have slammed as a “cringe” speech.
Second gentleman Doug Emhoff greets his son Cole Emhoff during the second day of the Democratic National Convention on August 20, 2024, in Chicago, Illinois Getty Second Gentleman Doug Emhoff and his son Cole suffered a mishap while attempting to shake hands during the second night of the DNC Getty Ella Emhoff watches her father, Doug Emhoff, deliver a speech on the second day of the DNC at the United Center on August 20, 2024, in Chicago, Illinois Getty Second gentleman Doug Emhoff (L) greets his son Cole Emhoff as he arrives to speak on stage during the second day of the DNC Getty Ella Emhoff and her grandmother watch Doug Emhoff deliver a speech on the second day of the DNC at the United Center on August 20, 2024, in Chicago, Illinois Getty
It came just a day after the second gentleman was criticized for the way he hugged his daughter Ella during the first night of the DNC.
While his wife was busy campaigning in Milwaukee, Wisconsin , Emhoff took the stage during the second night of the DNC.
He was introduced via a touching tribute video narrated by his oldest son, Cole.
After the video, Cole then appeared onstage to introduce his father, where eagle-eyed viewers caught a glimpse of a handshake gone awry.
As Cole attempted to hand off the stage to his father, the duo reached out their arms, attempting to shake hands.
However, they made a major mishap, with Emhoff reaching out his left hand, while Cole’s right hand was outstretched.
The duo missed their chance at a solid, firm handshake, leading to a disastrous handoff in the latest blunder of the night.
Still, the show must go on, with Emhoff taking the stage just seconds after the mishap, to a roaring crowd.
“Thank you so much,” he began his speech, taking a moment to pause as he looked around the United Center.
“Wow,” he uttered, as the applause died down.
“Aren’t you proud of Cole?” he questioned the audience, despite the duo’s disastrous moment just seconds before.
He waved to the crowd, and gave a shout-out to his “blended family” in the rafters, waving at several family members, including his daughter, Ella .
Emhoff then dove headfirst into what critics described as one of the night’s most cringeworthy moments.
Viewers were quick to share their thoughts on the moment on X.
“Extremely cringy,” one viewer wrote.
“One who can’t relate,” another user wrote, alongside a crying laughing emoji.
“Doug Emhoff’s #DNC2024 speech is so cringey even his wife didn’t show up for it,” another user jokingly wrote .
Democratic candidate Kamala Harris and her running mate Minnesota Governor Tim Walz gesture at a campaign rally in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, on August 20, 2024 Reuters Ella Emhoff cheers as her father speaks on stage during the second day of the Democratic National Convention at the United Center on August 20, 2024 Getty Doug Emhoff, second gentleman of the US, points to his family as he speaks during Day 2 of the DNC in Chicago on August 20, 2024 Reuters
GIRL DAD?
The awkward handshake, followed by an even more embarrassing speech, comes just one day after viewers called Emhoff “creepy” and “weird” for his on-screen moments with Ella .
Ella, who opted for a plain white T-shirt and a pair of matching pants for night one of the DNC, was spotted standing next to her dad in the crowd.
However, it was Emhoff’s hand around her waist that sparked online backlash, with many viewers finding the affectionate moment inappropriate.
Ella, in turn, also had her arm around Emhoff’s shoulder, embracing her dad as they smiled for photos and watched the events of the night unfold.
“Um… Why is Doug Emhoff’s hand placed on his daughter like that…” one X user questioned .
“His daughter is such a FREAK!!! And they call us weird? Lmao,” one user wrote.
“I’ve never gotten this close to my father,” another user shared.
“Yeah I’ve never touched my dad like that. Ever,” another viewer added.
Kamala Harris and Donald Trump have outlined their plan for what they’ll do if elected president
DNC DISASTERS
Emhoff’s awkward moments were largely overshadowed by other happenings during the second night of the DNC.
Tuesday dealt some major blows to the convention, with police on high alert after receiving bomb threats at 14 Chicago hotels earlier in the day.
Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris and Minnesota Governor Tim Walz hold a campaign rally in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, on August 20, 2024 Reuters Second gentleman Doug Emhoff (L) hugs his son while onstage at the DNC on August 20, 2024 Getty Second gentleman Doug Emhoff arrives to speak on stage during the second day of the DNC at the United Center on August 20, 2024, in Chicago, Illinois Getty
Get updates delivered to you daily. Free and customizable.
It’s essential to note our commitment to transparency:
Our Terms of Use acknowledge that our services may not always be error-free, and our Community Standards emphasize our discretion in enforcing policies. As a platform hosting over 100,000 pieces of content published daily, we cannot pre-vet content, but we strive to foster a dynamic environment for free expression and robust discourse through safety guardrails of human and AI moderation.
Comments / 0