Harris, Trump and two contrasting ‘first families’

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Behind both Kamala Harris and Donald Trump are their families, each competing to send their loved one to the White House and in turn become the nation’s “first family.”

Spouses and children have long been crucial players in US presidential campaigns, often giving candidates a personal appeal that can entice voters.

A closer look reveals the different life stories of Harris and Trump – and how their families are involved in this year’s election campaign.

Harris has a modern family that includes her husband, Second Gentleman Doug Emhoff, and his children from his first marriage, Cole and Ella.

The Harris campaign sees Emhoff, 60, an entertainment lawyer, as something of a secret weapon. In August, it released a range of merchandise – from T-shirts to coffee mugs – using an old photo of him that went viral on social media.

At the Democratic National Convention in August, affable delegates waved “Doug” signs as he recounted how he met then-California Attorney General Harris on a blind date in 2013.

“Kamala Harris was exactly the right person for me at an important time in my life. At this moment in this nation’s history, she is exactly the right president,” he said.

Emhoff, who is Jewish, has taken a notable role in President Joe Biden’s administration fighting anti-Semitism, particularly since Hamas’s October 7 attack on Israel.

Harris married Emhoff in 2014, making her stepmother to Cole and Ella, who was nicknamed “Momala.”

Cole, who now works for a production company co-founded by American actor Brad Pitt, was candid about how his family changed after Harris became a California senator and then vice president.

“It felt like Doug was a little out of place on Capitol Hill. I was like, ‘What’s my goofy dad doing here?’ But he embraced it,” Cole, 30, told the Democratic convention.

His sister Ella praised Harris in her speech, recalling how in her teenage years Kamala “was there for me no matter what.”

The 25-year-old model has made a unique contribution to Harris’ campaign through knitting, posting a video of a design that mimics an “I Voted” sticker with the caption: “There is so much at stake for so many people . Your vote matters # harriswalz2024.”

Donald Trump’s large offspring – five children and ten grandchildren from three marriages – are inextricably linked to his political and business ambitions.

The family’s public face has changed significantly since his 2017-2021 presidency, with daughter Ivanka — who had the vague role of “advisor to the president” — and wife Melania taking center stage.

Both have since largely withdrawn from the 2024 campaign.

In their place have been Trump’s two eldest sons, Donald Jr. and Eric, both of whom are executives in their father’s sprawling real estate empire.

Donald Jr. is dogmatic to the core, promoting Trump’s “Make America Great Again” agenda to his 12 million followers on X and through his “Triggered” podcast.

The 46-year-old, who sports a carefully groomed beard, was reportedly influential in securing his friend JD Vance’s ascension from relatively little-known conservative Ohio senator to Trump’s running mate.

Eric, 40, is similarly loyal and often supports his father through US media appearances and at campaign events.

Eric’s wife Lara also plays a key role as co-chair of the Republican National Committee, which has allowed the 42-year-old to reshape the party in Trump’s image by reportedly firing dozens of longtime staffers.

Other family members have helped soften Trump’s image for voters.

His grandson Kai, 17, told delegates at the Republican National Convention in July that the presidential candidate is “just a normal grandpa, he gives us candy and soda when our parents aren’t looking.”

Meanwhile, Trump’s other daughter, Tiffany, 31, has not been involved in this campaign, despite being involved in 2016 and 2020. And his youngest son Barron, 18, recently started his studies at New York University.

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