US Vice President Kamala Harris has stirred a mixed reaction online after sharing her personal perspective on modern dating during a recent podcast appearance.
'Friday Night vs Sunday Morning' Relationships
The 61-year-old politician offered her thoughts on the Rich Little Brokegirls podcast this Tuesday. Harris framed dating as an exercise in self-awareness, centred on understanding which chapter of life you are currently navigating.
'There are different phases in your life,' Harris explained. 'Maybe you're going to choose that you want to have that kind of Friday night relationship,' she continued, before quipping, 'Or you want that Sunday morning relationship.'
She added with a laugh that sometimes both are possible, but sometimes they mix like 'oil and water.' Her core advice was to embrace phases where you are simply having fun.
Backlash and Praise for VP's Tips
While some listeners found the comments relatable, a vocal group on social media criticised them as overly simplistic. One user complained the advice was 'nothing profound' and expressed disbelief that someone offering such basic wisdom had run for president.
'Why does she feel the need to explain the basics to people like we are children?' asked another. More pointed criticism referenced Harris's past relationship with former San Francisco Mayor Willie Brown, whom she dated when he was 60 and she was 29. One user mockingly alluded to this, suggesting Harris 'knows a little about that.'
Others were more dismissive, with one comment reading: 'My advice is don't take advice from Kamala Harris for anything.'
A Supportive Partnership with Doug Emhoff
Harris has been married to attorney Doug Emhoff, also 61, since 2014. The couple met on a blind date set up by a mutual friend in 2013. Emhoff has been a steadfast supporter of Harris's political career, notably during her 2020 vice-presidential campaign trail.
Speaking to Marie Claire in 2020 about her decision to join Joe Biden's ticket, Emhoff said, 'I would have supported whatever she decided... I'm not her political adviser. I'm her husband.' He described his role as being there to 'love her, to have her back.'
Emhoff was previously married to film producer Kerstin Mackin, with whom he shares two children, Cole and Ella. Both children have warmly welcomed Harris into the family. Cole joked to the New York Times about the couple being 'vomit-inducingly cute,' while Ella described their enduring bond as 'like the honeymoon phase forever.'
