Ella Emhoff, stepdaughter of Vice President Kamala Harris, posted a sharp rebuttal on Instagram over the weekend following online rumors claiming she was hospitalized in a mental health facility after her stepmother’s election loss.
The rumors began circulating on X after a photo surfaced showing Emhoff, 25, tearfully hugging campaign activists and family members following Harris’s defeat to Donald Trump.
2 View gallery
Ella Emhoff seen emotional after stepmother Kamala Harris' election loss
(Photo: AFP)
Emhoff, daughter of Harris’ husband Doug Emhoff, has maintained a close relationship with her stepmother since Harris and her father married. Though she is not Harris’ biological daughter, Emhoff and her brother are said to consider Harris a second mother, referring to her as “Mamala.” Harris has often spoken warmly of Emhoff’s children as her own.
A fashion designer and activist, Emhoff has been actively involved in Harris’ campaign in recent months and has also made headlines for fundraising efforts for Palestinians in Gaza after the October 7 Hamas massacre. Her follower count on Instagram has swelled to more than 500,000 over Harris' term in office.
In response to the rumor, which began circulating Wednesday alongside an image of Emhoff tearfully embracing campaign staff, she issued a pointed denial Saturday on Instagram. “There’s a rumor about me having a mental breakdown and getting checked into a hospital. Not true. Also f**k you if you’re out there spreading that,” she wrote, adding, “There’s nothing wrong with showing emotion and crying. Anyone who says there is probably needs a good cry.”
2 View gallery
Ella Emhoff responds to mental breakdown rumors following Kamala Harris' election loss
(Photo: from Instagram)
Emhoff further shared that she has openly struggled with mental health issues throughout her life but clarified that since Election Day, she has spent time relaxing with her dog, Jerry.
Her biological mother, Kerstin Emhoff, also spoke out against the rumors, posting on X: “Leave my kids alone!!! Ella is doing great and spending a lovely day with her mom! Having the ability to show your emotions is something we should all hope for. It’s ok to not feel great right now. We aren’t letting anyone break our family down."
Get the Ynetnews app on your smartphone: