When Kamala Harris lost the presidential election last night, her stepdaughter Ella Emhoff had nothing but feelings about the result. The 25-year-old fashion designer and artist, who has supported her stepmother throughout the campaign trail, seemed teary-eyed as Harris delivered her concession speech.
Emhoff, who joined the other family members and supporters present for Harris, got her eyes captured as she wiped away tears, a raw, intimate moment that engendered public sympathy and speculation.
Emhoff’s emotional response went viral, and she has continued to use the week to post online and on her Substack blog “Soft Pins” about her journey. There, she documented the week of ups and downs since the election was called and provided words of encouragement to her followers struggling with the same feelings of disappointment.
A Personal Response to a Public Loss
It is never easy to watch a loved one lose on a national stage, and Emhoff’s emotional display was a reminder that behind each political figure are families that take these results very seriously. In her post on Substack, Emhoff spoke of the rollercoaster of sadness, frustration, and exhaustion she had experienced since election night. She recognized this feeling was representative among all supporters of Harris-just like her, they face tremendous disappointment.
Ooof… What. A. Week,” she said, capturing the communal exhaustion. Emhoff then went on to say that she too, has struggled to process her emotions. She is feeling sad, angry, and stressed all in a day, she said near universal response to surprise losses. Emhoff shared what most people endure, making her vulnerable to her audience, the majority of whom have been avid followers of her stepmother’s campaign.
Through this message, she made it clear that at times of hardship, emotions need to be shared, and that overjoyed her followers. In supportive words, she allowed them to express their emotions to the fullest, emphasizing the fact that emotionally it is healthier to confront rather than suppress them.
Support from Social Media End
It followed that Emhoff was even open on social media; she uploaded a photo showing herself in tears after Harris’ concession speech. She captioned it, relating her solidarity with her followers: “Truly no words. We are all going to get through this. It just f***ing hurts like a b***h right now, and that’s ok.”.
That post went viral, and that vulnerability was something her followers have emotionally resonated with on many occasions, following Harris’ journey. Emhoff called on her audience to check in on loved ones in times of trouble; she reminded them of the value of community and support. She reassured her followers that she was there for them to build a sense of community in their shared feelings of disappointment.
Emhoff has been one of the most energetic and avid supporters of Harris throughout her campaign; he frequently joined rallies and shared pictures on his Instagram. Her platform also helped her connect with a younger audience, as she spread the word from her stepmother and showed her support for Harris’s ideals. Nowadays, her social media is still a comfort zone for people dealing with a feeling of defeat after the loss of the campaign.
Sacrifices Made Along the Campaign Trail
Although Emhoff may be best known for what she has brought to the world of fashion, this very public political campaign has shown succinctly that when it came down to family commitments, she would make sacrifices. Indeed, over the last year, she has set aside personal projects to take up the torch in support of Harris’s presidential bid. Her presence at campaign events, and her vocal support, stood as testimony to her commitment, even when it came at the cost of her pursuits.
In August, Emhoff said she had stopped her knitting club, the “Soft Hands Knit Club,” citing security concerns. It was one of the dear things she loved and had become very close-knit in New York City. She announced her decision to step down on Instagram, underlining that this decision was necessary for her safety and the safety of club members since her family was highly visible during the campaign. Emhoff says she is sad for having to make this decision; she nevertheless emphasized that it was the most responsible thing to do within the context of the election.
These challenges that Emhoff and her family had to endure underline the sacrifices so many people, particularly relatives, have to put up with when one of their family members is associated with a high-profile political figure. Despite such challenges, Emhoff did not show any signs of deserting Harris’s campaign.
On the contrary, she showed much loyalty outside of the political spectrum and became a very relatable figure, particularly for the people who admired her effort to interest herself in balancing her interests with family obligations.
Ella Emhoff’s reaction to Kamala Harris’s defeat sealed her as a strong, yet sensitive character in the eyes of the general public. Her captions were honest and her emotions running deep, Emhoff treated her following to a behind-the-scenes look at what political events take from families on a personal level. I
It put into perspective that behind those political campaigns are real people who feel their share of joy and sadness, success and disappointment.
