Another video showed her yelling at a female staffer to “get out of my f–king shot.”Politico
California gubernatorial candidate Katie Porter is under renewed scrutiny after videos resurfaced showing her clashing with staff over a lighting issue during a 2021 Zoom interview.
In the footage, Porter, the former congresswoman, enters the interview and immediately instructs a staffer to turn off “the bright lights.” She briefly softens with a smile and apology before quickly snapping again, telling the employee, “I need you to turn these off, these that are killing me.” The clip shows Porter oscillating between polite requests and sharp admonishments, ultimately cutting her screen and rejoining from a better-lit location.
The footage adds to recent viral moments highlighting Porter’s tense interactions with the media. In one incident, she called a CBS reporter “argumentative” and threatened to end an interview over questions about President Trump and her strategy for appealing to Republican voters. “I don’t want to keep doing this. I’m going to call it,” Porter said during the exchange, which quickly circulated online.
Porter’s reputation for a short fuse extends beyond media appearances. Another 2021 video obtained by Politico shows her yelling at a staffer during a discussion with the Biden administration on environmental policy. Past reports have also included allegations from a former congressional aide who accused Porter of bullying during the pandemic, as well as claims from her ex-husband alleging verbal abuse and unusual confrontations during their marriage.
Porter appearing on a CBS News interview with reporter Julie Watts.CBS News
At 51, Porter remains a polarizing figure in California politics, with her demeanor under the microscope as voters assess her candidacy for governor.