Kamala Harris’ stepdaughter struggled to keep her emotions in check, as the vice president admitted to Donald Trump on Wednesday.
Ella Emhoff, 25, was visibly distraught and tears flowed as her stepmother expressed her heartfelt gratitude.
“To my beloved Doug and our family, I love you very much,” Harris said.
Second Gentleman Doug Emhoff was seen keeping his arm tightly around his daughter and hugging his son Cole.
Throughout the event, it wasn’t just Harris’ family who were visibly shaken. Her running mate, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, patted his heart and also appeared to hold back tears as the sitting vice president thanked him and his family.
Doug Emhoff patted Walz on the back as the gathered crowd cheered them on.
Ella Emhoff, 25, broke down in tears as Vice President Kamala Harris conceded to former President Donald Trump on Wednesday
The emotional Walz at one point bowed his head deeply as Harris spoke and clasped his hands together.
Harris became the stepmother to Ella and Cole, who they affectionately called “Momala” after she married their father.
Ella has appeared alongside Harris on the campaign trail numerous times and appeared on stage when she accepted the nomination at the 2024 Democratic National Convention.
Harris finally conceded to former President Trump in a phone call on Wednesday, saying she pushed for a peaceful transfer of power and encouraged Trump to be a president for all Americans.
Her father, Doug Emhoff, was later seen keeping his arm tightly around his daughter
She later took the stage at her alma mater of Howard University in the nation’s capital, telling her dozens of tearful supporters gathered at the school that “this is not what we wanted.”
During her speech, Harris pledged to help with the peaceful transfer of power, even as she said she would continue her fight after Trump’s dominant victory.
“While I concede this election, I will not concede to the strife this campaign has fueled,” she said.
The vice president’s voice occasionally trembled as she addressed a huge crowd of supporters.
‘My heart is full today. Full of gratitude for the trust you have placed in me. Full of love for our country and full of determination,” she said in her first appearance since voters rejected her vision for America.
Emhoff hugged his children, Ella and Cole, during the speech
“The outcome of this election is not what we wanted, not what we fought for, not what we voted for, but hear me when I say, hear me when I say: the light of America’s promise will always burn bright,” she said. .
Harris thanked President Joe Biden, her family, her staff and her supporters. She also expressed pride in her campaign.
“Look, I’m so proud of the race we ran. And the way we executed it,” she said.
‘Now I know that people are feeling and experiencing a range of emotions right now. I get it. But we must accept the results of this election,” she said.
She went on to tell her supporters that she had spoken to Trump and congratulated him on his victory.
Harris took the stage at her alma mater of Howard University and told her tearful supporters gathered at the school that ‘this is not what we wanted’
“I also told him that we will assist him and his team in their transition and that we will achieve a peaceful transfer of power.” She said she would respect the results.
Still, the atmosphere at the event was grim, as her supporters cried and exchanged hugs.