Ella Emhoff, the 25-year-old stepdaughter of Vice President Kamala Harris, has forcefully dismissed rumors suggesting she suffered a mental breakdown and was hospitalized following the 2024 presidential election results. On Saturday, Emhoff addressed what she called baseless claims in a candid Instagram post.
"Ok, I'm just gonna go out and say it," Emhoff wrote alongside a mirror selfie. "There's a rumor about me having a mental breakdown and getting checked into a hospital. Not true." She added emphatically, "Also f- you if you're out there spreading that," expressing her frustration with the circulation of false information online.
The rumors gained traction after emotional photos of Emhoff were captured during Harris' concession speech at Howard University on November 6. Vice President Harris, who lost to President-elect Donald Trump, delivered a speech emphasizing resilience and gratitude. "The outcome of this election is not what we wanted, not what we fought for, not what we voted for," Harris stated. "But hear me when I say, the light of America's promise will always burn bright."
In response to speculation about her emotional display during the speech, Emhoff defended her right to express her feelings publicly. "There's nothing wrong with showing emotion and crying," she wrote. "Anyone who says there is probably needs a good cry." In a more lighthearted note, she added, "I've literally just been here playing fetch with Jerry," referencing her pet dog.
Emhoff's mother, Kerstin Emhoff, who shares Ella with ex-husband Douglas Emhoff, also addressed the rumors. Calling the claims "MAGA bs" in a post on X (formerly Twitter), Kerstin offered unwavering support for her daughter. "Leave my kids alone," she demanded. "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."
The disinformation campaign gained traction on social media, with some pro-Trump accounts spreading false claims about Ella Emhoff's supposed hospitalization. One high-profile account alleged that she had been admitted to a mental health crisis center in New York, a claim Kerstin Emhoff promptly refuted. "We aren't letting anyone break our family down," she affirmed.
Ella Emhoff has been candid about her mental health struggles in the past. In a post on her Soft Pins Substack newsletter, she reflected on the emotional aftermath of Harris' defeat. "What. A. Week," she wrote on November 8. "I feel like we all need this extra this week. I know we are all feeling a lot of emotions right now. That's normal, and it would be weird if we weren't. I know I've gone through about 10 cycles of sadness, rage, and stress-and that was just this morning."
The rumors emerged as Donald Trump secured an expected 312 Electoral College votes, claiming victory in several key battleground states. In her concession speech, Harris underscored her commitment to continue fighting for the nation, despite the outcome.
