California gubernatorial candidate Katie Porter recently attracted attention after being filmed giving a piercing glare at a staff member regarding an issue with lighting during a Zoom interview. This incident comes as previous videos showcasing her fiery temper circulate online.
The resurfaced clip captures the outspoken former congresswoman, who has been criticized for her short fuse, clashing with her team in a 2021 interview.
In the brief footage, the irritated Democrat enters the interview and immediately confronts a staff member, demanding they switch off “the bright lights.” She then adjusts her demeanor, flashes a quick smile to the camera, and offers an apology for the delay.
After a moment, she interrupts herself to firmly repeat her request to turn down the lights.
“I need you to turn these off, these that are killing me,” Porter asserts, before turning back to her audience and politely asking them to hold on—then chastising another team member, according to the intense video that emerged on social media.
Once the lights dim, Porter exclaims, “Not that dark!” and gives an unmistakably fierce look.
Katie had a meltdown at her staff during a 2021 Zoom call due to lighting issues.
Instead of managing the situation gracefully, she abruptly cut off audio and video after glaring at her team. https://t.co/YF3cveOBsz pic.twitter.com/1DktYWYaSt
— Torunn Sinclair (@TorunnSinclair) October 8, 2025
Following her outburst, Porter turned off her camera and reappeared from a better-lit area.
This latest footage adds to the mounting critiques surrounding the lawmaker, particularly after she labeled a CBS reporter as “argumentative” during a recent interview and nearly walked out when questioned about President Trump’s influence and her approach to winning Republican votes.
“I don’t want to keep doing this. I’m going to call it,” Porter declared during her viral outburst that aired on Monday, sparking widespread discussion online.
Porter bizarrely maintained that the CBS interview—which mirrored inquiries made to other candidates—was cluttered with unnecessary follow-up questions.
“Ms. Porter, I am an investigative reporter,” Julie Watts responded, incredulous at Porter’s reaction. “Have you never had a conversation with a reporter?”
In another clip obtained by Politico, Porter was seen yelling at a female team member, demanding she “get out of my f–king shot” during a July 2021 Zoom meeting about environmental policy with the Biden administration.
At 51, Porter has become well-known for her volatile demeanor when things don’t go as she wishes.
In 2022, she faced accusations from a former aide of bullying after suggesting the staffer exposed her to COVID-19 by working in-person during the pandemic.
Additionally, during their 2013 divorce, her ex-husband, Matthew Hoffman, claimed she frequently verbally abused him and once threw scalding mashed potatoes on him during an argument.
“When she gets angry, she will claw and scratch her arms and then say to me, ‘Look what you made me do,’” Hoffman stated in legal documents.
Porter is currently running for the position of governor to replace the term-limited Democratic incumbent, Gavin Newsom, in the election scheduled for November 3.
