Ella Emhoff shares photo on Instagram on Jan. 20, 2025. Photo:
Ella Emhoff/Instagram
Ella Emhoff shared a reflective message on social media as her stepmother, Kamala Harris, and former President Joe Biden concluded their term in office.
Just before Donald Trump was sworn in as the 47th president at the U.S. Capitol on Monday, Jan. 20, Emhoff, 25, looked back on her time as second daughter, sharing that she’s feeling emotional as Harris and Biden exit the White House.
“Hi 🫂 I know we are all feeling a lot of emotions today,” wrote Emhoff, whose father, Doug Emhoff, married Harris in 2014. “I’m truly feeling the full spectrum of emotions right now as I reflect on the past 4 years.”
She continued: “I just want to say I’m so grateful for everyone who has supported me during this period of my life. Some of my highest highs and lowest lows. For those who made it harder, you suck.”
Emhoff said the last four years have been “truly insane” and an “honor” as the second daughter. “Thank you for letting me do it in my own way,” she concluded.
Ella Emhoff reflects on her time as second daughter in an Instagram post on Jan. 20, 2025. Ella Emhoff/Instagram
Harris and her husband, Doug, were in attendance for Trump’s inauguration on Monday, joining Barack Obama, Bill and Hillary Clinton and Laura and George W. Bush for the ceremony.
Emhoff made headlines in November after the 2024 presidential election when rumors started circulating that the model and designer had been hospitalized for mental health reasons after Harris was defeated by Trump.
She took to her Instagram Stories to address the rumors on Nov. 9.
“Ok, I’m just gonna go out and say it,” she wrote on top of a mirror selfie. “There’s a rumor about me having a mental breakdown and getting checked into a hospital. Not true.”
Never miss a story — sign up for PEOPLE’s free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from juicy celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.
Emhoff continued, “Also f— you if you’re out there spreading that.”
“There’s nothing wrong with showing emotion and crying,” she added. “Anyone who says there is probably needs a good cry.”
Emhoff then shared that she has “struggled with” her mental health for her whole life, adding, “and I’m not ashamed.”
She concluded the post by mentioning her dog: “I’ve literally just been here playing fetch with Jerry.”
Ella Emhoff, daughter of second gentleman Doug Emhoff and Vice President Kamala Harris, at the 2024 Democratic National Convention. Chip Somodevilla/Getty
Emhoff has been vocal about her support for the Democratic Party. She has also been quick to defend Harris against her political opponents, such as new Vice President J.D. Vance.
Never miss a story — sign up for PEOPLE’s free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer.
After an old clip of Vance circulated over the summer where he criticized her stepmother for being “childless,” Emhoff slammed the comment, saying, “How can you be ‘childless’ when you have cutie pie kids like cole and I,” on her Instagram Stories. “I love my three parents.”
