He’s been referred to as everything from “Dougie” to “Second Dude,” but Second Gentleman Doug Emhoff is getting a slightly more grown-up rebrand, courtesy of the White House, which now refers to him as “Douglas.“The Biden transition and inaugural committee began adjusting Emhoff’s first name from"Doug” to “Douglas"in statements and advisers, beginning roughly a week prior to the inauguration, according toPolitico.The White House has since continued to adhere to the slight name change.Emhoff’sTwitter accountreflects the change, too, with the name for his @SecondGentleman account now reading “Douglas.“Both Emhoff’sfaculty pageat Georgetown Law and theWhite House’s websiteboth now also refer to the second gentleman as “Douglas,“Politicopointed out.“His name is Douglas Emhoff so I think as he is stepping into this public role it’s not surprising that they would list his full name on the White House website,” a spokesperson toldPolitico.They downplayed the change, however: “We are focused on substantive things. … Safe to say like most people, his full and abbreviated names have always been used interchangeably.“While previous spouses of the vice presidents have all been women and were referenced as “Second Lady,” Emhoff became officially known as the “Second Gentleman” whenKamala Harris, his wife, made history becoming the first female vice president.Emhoff, an entertainment attorney, was a fixture on the campaign trail with appearances during both Harris' own run for president and her campaign alongside PresidentJoe Biden.Ahead of his wife taking office, Emhoff announced he would beleaving the California firmhe worked at before the inauguration.Second Gentleman Doug Emhoff.ERIN SCOTT/POOL/AFP via GettySecond Gentleman Doug Emhoff and Vice President Kamala Harris.Alex Wong/GettyThe change from “Doug” to “Douglas” appears to reflect a more serious tone from the attorney, who in December was announced as a new faculty member at theGeorgetown University Law Center. He is teaching a two-credit course for the spring semester titled “Entertainment Law Disputes.“Emhoff told reporters last month hisnew teaching role is “odd,“considering his simultaneous role at the White House. But he’s seemingly taking the dual responsibilities in stride.“Look: It’s odd the second gentleman is their teacher. But we kind of dispensed with that … maybe five minutes in the first class,” Emhoff said. “Now, it’s just they want to learn, they want to be great lawyers and I’m trying to impart to them experiences as a lawyer.“Emhoff also told reporters he takes his role as Harris' husband very seriously, and wants to use it to both teach and learn.“I am working full time. I’m teaching, I’m learning. As second gentleman, I’m taking every opportunity I can to educate myself,” he said in March. “So, it’s not just going to the library and the national galleries, it’s also taking advantage of the experts in administration, learning issues, so when I’m out here advocating, I know I’m up on the issues.“Emhoff added: “I’m taking it very seriously, I’m putting a lot of time into it.“According to one political insider, the more formal name makes sense considering Emhoff’s personality outside of public events.“The goofiness is a bit of a persona,” one former campaign adviser toldPolitico. “He actually is a very serious person.”
He’s been referred to as everything from “Dougie” to “Second Dude,” but Second Gentleman Doug Emhoff is getting a slightly more grown-up rebrand, courtesy of the White House, which now refers to him as “Douglas.”
The Biden transition and inaugural committee began adjusting Emhoff’s first name from"Doug” to “Douglas"in statements and advisers, beginning roughly a week prior to the inauguration, according toPolitico.
The White House has since continued to adhere to the slight name change.
Emhoff’sTwitter accountreflects the change, too, with the name for his @SecondGentleman account now reading “Douglas.”
Both Emhoff’sfaculty pageat Georgetown Law and theWhite House’s websiteboth now also refer to the second gentleman as “Douglas,“Politicopointed out.
“His name is Douglas Emhoff so I think as he is stepping into this public role it’s not surprising that they would list his full name on the White House website,” a spokesperson toldPolitico.
They downplayed the change, however: “We are focused on substantive things. … Safe to say like most people, his full and abbreviated names have always been used interchangeably.”
While previous spouses of the vice presidents have all been women and were referenced as “Second Lady,” Emhoff became officially known as the “Second Gentleman” whenKamala Harris, his wife, made history becoming the first female vice president.
Emhoff, an entertainment attorney, was a fixture on the campaign trail with appearances during both Harris' own run for president and her campaign alongside PresidentJoe Biden.
Ahead of his wife taking office, Emhoff announced he would beleaving the California firmhe worked at before the inauguration.
Second Gentleman Doug Emhoff.ERIN SCOTT/POOL/AFP via Getty
Second Gentleman Doug Emhoff and Vice President Kamala Harris.Alex Wong/Getty
The change from “Doug” to “Douglas” appears to reflect a more serious tone from the attorney, who in December was announced as a new faculty member at theGeorgetown University Law Center. He is teaching a two-credit course for the spring semester titled “Entertainment Law Disputes.”
Emhoff told reporters last month hisnew teaching role is “odd,“considering his simultaneous role at the White House. But he’s seemingly taking the dual responsibilities in stride.
“Look: It’s odd the second gentleman is their teacher. But we kind of dispensed with that … maybe five minutes in the first class,” Emhoff said. “Now, it’s just they want to learn, they want to be great lawyers and I’m trying to impart to them experiences as a lawyer.”
Emhoff also told reporters he takes his role as Harris' husband very seriously, and wants to use it to both teach and learn.
“I am working full time. I’m teaching, I’m learning. As second gentleman, I’m taking every opportunity I can to educate myself,” he said in March. “So, it’s not just going to the library and the national galleries, it’s also taking advantage of the experts in administration, learning issues, so when I’m out here advocating, I know I’m up on the issues.”
Emhoff added: “I’m taking it very seriously, I’m putting a lot of time into it.”
According to one political insider, the more formal name makes sense considering Emhoff’s personality outside of public events.
“The goofiness is a bit of a persona,” one former campaign adviser toldPolitico. “He actually is a very serious person.”
source: people.com
