In a forceful response to swirling speculation, Ella Emhoff, the 25-year-old stepdaughter of Vice President Kamala Harris, has firmly denied rumors about being hospitalized for a mental breakdown following her stepmother’s recent concession speech.
The controversy emerged after photos captured Emhoff visibly emotional during Harris’s November 6 address, leading to widespread social media speculation about her well-being. The images quickly went viral, sparking unfounded claims about a possible hospitalization.
Taking to Instagram on Saturday, Emhoff directly confronted the rumors, writing, “There’s a rumour about me having a mental breakdown and getting checked into a hospital. Not true.” She followed with an emphatic statement: “Also f**k you if you’re out there spreading that. There’s nothing wrong with showing emotion and crying. Anyone who says there is probably needs a good cry.”
Advocating for mental health transparency
In her response, Emhoff took the opportunity to address mental health stigma, acknowledging her journey while maintaining her characteristic authenticity. “I’ve struggled with my mental health my whole life and I’m not ashamed of it,” she shared, accompanying her message with a lighthearted photo showing her playing fetch with her dog Jerry.
The fashion designer and model had previously addressed the emotional toll of the campaign in her Substack newsletter, “Soft Pins,” where she wrote: “Ooof… What. A. Week.” She detailed the natural emotional cycles that followed election day, describing “10 cycles of sadness, rage, and stress—and that was just this morning.”
Campaign support and moving forward
Throughout the campaign season, Emhoff maintained a visible presence at Harris’s rallies and frequently shared her thoughts on social media. Her recent message to supporters struck a note of resilience: “We are all going to get through this. It just fing hurts like a bh right now and that’s ok.”
The incident has sparked broader discussions about emotional vulnerability in public life and the impact of social media speculation on mental health narratives. Emhoff’s straightforward response has drawn praise from mental health advocates for its candid approach to addressing both personal struggles and public misconceptions.