Doug Emhoff, the husband of former Vice President Kamala Harris, was out for blood at President Donald Trump’s inauguration, deliberately snubbing a man who refused his wife’s offer of a handshake earlier this month, according to CNN.
On Monday, Emhoff, who served as second gentleman of the United States from 2021 to 2025, rejected a handshake from Bruce Fischer, husband of Sen. Deb Fischer of Nebraska. Emhoff brought up the moment Fischer appeared to refuse Harris’ proffered hand at the Republican senator’s swearing-in on Jan. 3.
A viral video of that incident showed Fischer holding the Bible in one hand, and a cane in the other, while his wife recited the oath. When the the then-vice president extended her hand to Fischer for a handshake, he nodded in return but maintained a neutral expression.
“I’m not going to bite, don’t worry,” a visibly embarrassed Harris said at the time.
Emhoff hasn’t been able to forgive Fischer for the snub, a source familiar with the matter told CNN.
“Why would you try to shake my hand when you wouldn’t shake my wife’s hand?” Emhoff reportedly told Bruce Fischer at the ceremonial tea at the White House prior to Trump’s swearing-in, the source said.
Fischer later apologized for swerving Harris’ handshake, CNN said.
The Daily Beast has contacted a spokesperson for Harris for comment.
The awkward exchange between Harris and Fischer on Jan. 3 drew mixed reactions at the time, although some MAGA supporters were quick to defend the senator’s husband.
“He has a cane in one hand and the Bible in the other… which one did she expect him to drop?” one said.
“Whatever you think you stand for, that’s just not cool. If you think the left is terrible, doing this doesn’t make you a better problem,” another commenter tweeted, in support of Harris. “This is never the way for the world to heal or grow. If he did it on purpose, that is very childish for an older man.”
