California's Democratic gubernatorial hopeful Katie Porter just can’t seem to keep her cool, as a recently surfaced video reveals a startling display of temper that’s raising eyebrows across the political spectrum.
Fox News reported that a clip obtained by Politico and released on Wednesday paints a troubling picture of Porter’s behavior during a 2021 video call, alongside a separate viral moment this week showing her clashing with a reporter over tough questions.
Let’s rewind to 2021, when Porter, then a U.S. Representative from California, was engaged in a virtual discussion on energy and climate matters with Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm. A staffer made the grave error of stepping into the frame during the call. What followed was anything but professional.
Porter didn’t just ask the staffer to move—she unleashed a tirade, shouting, "Get out of my f---ing shot!" as reported by Politico.
If that wasn’t enough, she doubled down, scolding them for having wandered into the background earlier in the same call. It’s a moment that makes one wonder if this is the temperament we want in a leader.
Interestingly, Politico notes that this outburst was conveniently edited out of the Department of Energy’s final version of the webinar. One has to ask: Is this a pattern of sanitizing Porter’s less flattering moments for public consumption? It’s a fair question for voters to ponder.
Her campaign, by the way, hasn’t offered a response to inquiries from Fox News Digital about the incident. Silence can speak volumes, especially when the footage is this damning. Perhaps they’re hoping this storm will simply blow over.
Fast forward to this week, and Porter finds herself in hot water again, this time in a viral clip of an interview with CBS California reporter Julie Watts. The topic? How Porter plans to appeal to the significant chunk of California voters—about 40%—who supported Trump.
The exchange quickly turned contentious as Watts pressed Porter on whether she could win without those voters’ support. Porter’s response was less than diplomatic, questioning the premise with a sharp, "How would I need them to win, ma’am?" as captured in the clip. It’s a retort that suggests a dismissal of a huge voter base—hardly a winning strategy.
Things only got worse from there as Porter grew visibly frustrated with follow-up questions. She accused the interviewer of being "unnecessarily argumentative" and attempted to end it by fiddling with her microphone. For a politician, dodging tough queries isn’t exactly a badge of honor.
Conservatives online have been quick to point out that Porter seems to struggle when the heat is on, especially with persistent questioning. It’s not hard to see why this clip has spread like wildfire across social media. If you can’t handle a reporter, how do you handle the pressures of governing?
Let’s be fair—politics is a high-stress game, and everyone has off days. But when those off days include berating staffers on camera or shutting down legitimate journalistic inquiries, it paints a picture of someone who might not be ready for the spotlight of a gubernatorial race.
Porter’s approach in both incidents raises concerns about temperament and accountability. Yelling at a staffer for a minor misstep isn’t just unprofessional—it’s the kind of behavior that alienates people, even those who might otherwise support her policy ideas. Leadership requires grace under pressure, not expletives.
Then there’s the broader implication for California voters. If Porter can’t manage her composure in relatively controlled settings like a video call or a one-on-one interview, what happens when the stakes are higher? It’s a question worth asking before heading to the polls.
Both of these clips—the 2021 outburst and the recent interview debacle—suggest a pattern of impatience with anything less than total control. While no one expects perfection, there’s a difference between a slip-up and a consistent inability to handle criticism or unexpected challenges. California deserves better.
