Everyone Is Questioning What Happens to FLOTUS if Kamala Harris Wins

Just days after she officially started her campaign for president, speculation continues about the potential impact of Vice President Kamala Harris winning the presidential election.

A Harris victory would mark a historic milestone, making her the first female president of the United States. But it would also prompt another first—the first time the first lady isn’t a woman, bringing significant changes to the roles traditionally associated with the President and First Lady.

Doug Emhoff, Harris’ husband, would assume the role of the First Spouse, but a number of people have questioned what his exact title would be compared to the traditional FLOTUS (First Lady of the United States).

An accomplished lawyer, Emhoff has already broken ground as the nation’s first Second Gentleman of the United States, accompanying Vice President Harris through her tenure and advocating for important causes. Given his current title, Emhoff would most likely become the FGOTUS or First Gentleman of the United States.

Christopher Phelps, Associate Professor of American History at the University of Nottingham, agreed, telling Newsweek: “He would be First Gentleman. Despite dozens of countries having had a woman as head of state or government, starting with Sri Lanka in 1960, the United States has never yet had a woman president. The role of the President’s male spouse would, therefore, be something new in the aftermath of what is otherwise a very long line of First Ladies dating back to Martha Washington.”

Of course, Harris isn’t the first woman to run for president. Back in 2016, Hillary Clinton was asked by Jimmy Kimmel about a possible title for her husband, former President Bill Clinton, to which she replied: “First dude, first mate, first gentleman, I’m just not sure.”

If Emhoff becomes the FGOTUS, the handle on X is already taken. However, the current owner—First Gato of the United States—has recently posted endorsements for both Harris and Emhoff to be the next White House residents.

The Role of the First Spouse

The First Spouse role has evolved significantly over the years. First Ladies have historically shaped the position through their unique initiatives, from Eleanor Roosevelt’s human rights advocacy to Michelle Obama‘s focus on health and nutrition.

First Ladies have also historically been responsible for things like hosting events and famously decorating the White House for Christmas. Speculation has already started on this too; would Emhoff be responsible for the décor?

As First Spouse or First Gentleman, Emhoff would likely continue the tradition of championing social causes. His background in law and his previous initiatives suggest that he might focus on areas such as legal reform, education, and social justice.

A University of Southern California Gould School of Law alumnus, Emhoff is an entertainment lawyer who married Harris in 2014. Harris became stepmother to Emhoff’s two children, Ella and Cole.

Emhoff, who is also the first Jewish spouse of a U.S. President or vice president, has been a staunch campaigner against antisemitism and in 2023 took his campaign to the United Nations, stressing that “silence is not an option.”

While maintaining his career as a lawyer, he has frequently joined Harris on the 2020 and 2024 campaign trail and even offered behind-the-scenes glimpses into campaign life and their relationship on social media.

Female leaders with a male spouse by their side aren’t unheard of in world politics. Jacinda Ardern, who served as Prime Minister in New Zealand from 2017 to 2023, had her partner Clarke Gayford by her side. To support his wife’s political role, Gayford took on the role of a stay-at-home dad after the birth of their daughter.

Angela Merkel, who served as the Chancellor of Germany from 2005 to 2021, is married to distinguished quantum chemist and professor Joachim Sauer. He rarely appeared in public and famously did not give a single interview during his wife’s 12 years in power.

Margaret Thatcher, the first female Prime Minister of the U.K. who served from 1979 to 1990, was married to husband Dennis Thatcher. A business owner and war veteran, he was known for his wit and support of his wife. He often referred to his wife as “the boss,” and made self-deprecating jokes about his role as the Prime Minister’s spouse.

A Harris presidency would also represent a new era for presidential families as traditional roles and titles are redefined in one of the highest offices in the land. Emhoff has already spoken about his support for women in leadership. His official biography on the White House website reads: “As the first Second Gentleman, married to the first woman vice president, Mr. Emhoff knows the power and importance of having women in leadership positions.”

“Emhoff has already been in training for this role in his four years with Harris supporting her vice presidential role,” Phelps added. “Somewhat like the royals in the UK, the function of a First Gentleman would be ceremonial and charitable. Typically the spouse of the President picks a signature issue or two, but often not especially controversial ones—as when Michelle Obama picked healthy food choices as one of hers. How Emhoff would chart all that would be intriguing to see.”

Some people have speculated on Emhoff’s possible future title online, asking how the title will work. While FGOTUS is most likely, @CreativeTweets wrote: “I think that, if VP Harris win the next US election, Douglas Emhoff should be called “First Doug” rather than FGOTUS.”

Theorizing how the title could be kept FLOTUS, Paul Thomson commented on Scharf’s video, saying: “Technically he could be First Lord of the United States because I think Lady comes from the title.”

Whatever title Emhoff takes on in the case of a Harris presidency, he would be in a position of historical significance, paving the way for what the title of First Gentleman could look like in the future of the White House.

Newsweek reached out to the U.S. Department of State’s Office of Press Relations for comment via email.