California GOP gubernatorial candidate Larry Elder's ex-fiancee says he brandished a gun at her while high
Alexandra Datig, the former fiancée of conservative radio talk show host and California Republican gubernatorial candidate Larry Elder, told Politico that she ended their relationship in 2015 after he waved a gun at her while high on marijuana.
Datig, who signed a non-disclosure agreement when she broke up with Elder, said she decided to come forward to share her story because "the state of California is on the line," and if voters decide to recall Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) in September and replace him with Elder, it will be "a disaster."
Datig, 51, said she met Elder, 69, at a Playboy Mansion party in the early 2000s, but they didn't start dating until several years later. During their relationship, she said, Elder pressured her to get a tattoo that said "Larry's Girl," which Datig, a victim of sex trafficking, says she now believes was his way of branding her. He would often become threatening toward her, Datig alleged, and during a 2015 incident in their home, she feared for her life.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Elder regularly used marijuana, Datig said, and was high during the episode. She told Politico he pulled a .45 pistol out of a nightstand in their bedroom and "checked if it was loaded while I was talking. He wanted to make sure I saw that he had it." Datig said she briefly "thought it was a Phil Spector moment," referring to the music producer who fatally shot actress Lana Clarkson at his home in 2003. "My fear was great, and I understood I needed to de-escalate." Datig told Politico she was raised to know that you "never use a gun in anger, and you don't use it when you're drunk or you're high to make a point in frustration — which is what he did."
Datig, who produced more than 100 episodes of Elder's talk show and created his blog The Elder Statement, runs a conservative political website, and has endorsed Kevin Faulconer, a former mayor of San Diego, in the recall election. Both Datig and Faulconer told Politico she is not working for him, and Datig was adamant that she isn't being paid by anyone. "I am doing this because I care about California," she said. "It's about ability and capacity — and I don't think Larry has the ability or capacity." Elder told the Los Angeles Times in a statement he never "brandished a gun at anyone."
Create an account with the same email registered to your subscription to unlock access.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Catherine Garcia is night editor for TheWeek.com. Her writing and reporting has appeared in Entertainment Weekly and EW.com, The New York Times, The Book of Jezebel, and other publications. A Southern California native, Catherine is a graduate of the University of Redlands and the Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism.
-
Tesla cuts prices in 'intensifying' EV war
Speed Read Electric vehicle giant has struggled in the face of weakening demand, competition from China and technical setbacks
By Arion McNicoll, The Week UK Published
-
Four Seasons Resort Bali at Jimbaran Bay: unwind at this picture-perfect resort
The Week Recommends The retreat that's ideal for recharging your batteries while experiencing life on an Indonesian island
By Yasemen Kaner-White Published
-
The World War Two experiments that made D-Day possible
Under The Radar Scientists performed gruelling tests on themselves paving the way for the iconic invasion
By Chas Newkey-Burden, The Week UK Published
-
Poland, Germany nab alleged anti-Ukraine spies
Speed Read A man was arrested over a supposed Russian plot to kill Ukrainian President Zelenskyy
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Israel hits Iran with retaliatory airstrike
Speed Read The attack comes after Iran's drone and missile barrage last weekend
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Peter Murrell: Sturgeon's husband charged over SNP 'embezzlement' claims
Speed Read SNP expresses 'shock' as former chief executive rearrested in long-running investigation into claims of mishandled campaign funds
By Arion McNicoll, The Week UK Published
-
Mark Menzies: Tories investigate MP after 'bad people' cash claims
Speed Read Fylde MP will sit as an independent while party looks into allegations he misused campaign funds on medical expenses and blackmail pay-out
By Arion McNicoll, The Week UK Published
-
Why Johnson won't just pass Ukraine aid
Speed Read The House Speaker could have sent $60 billion in military aid to Ukraine — but it would have split his caucus
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Sudan on brink of collapse after a year of war
Speed Read 18 million people face famine as the country continues its bloody downward spiral
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Trump's first criminal trial starts with jury picks
Speed Read The former president faces charges related to hush money payments made to adult film star Stormy Daniels
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
How will Israel respond to Iran's direct attack?
Speed Read Iran’s weekend attack on Israel could escalate into a wider Middle East war
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published