'I Don't Want This All on Camera': Watch Dem Candidate to Replace Newsom Self-Destruct During Interview

Former Democratic Rep. Katie Porter’s campaign for California governor may have just gone up in flames after an on-camera meltdown that exposed her inability to handle basic questions — or the kind of transparency voters expect from their leaders.

During an interview with KPIX-TV’s Julie Watts, filmed last month but released Tuesday, Porter completely lost her composure when asked how she planned to win over Republicans and the 40 percent of Californians who voted for President Donald J. Trump in the last election.

Watts asked a straightforward question: “What do you say to the 40 percent of California voters, who you’ll need in order to win, who voted for Trump?”

Porter’s dismissive reply set the tone: “How would I need them in order to win, ma’am,” she said with a laugh.

When Watts pressed for clarification — noting that every other gubernatorial candidate had answered the same question — Porter snapped.

“You asked me if I needed them to win. I feel like this is unnecessarily argumentative. What is your question?” Porter retorted, visibly frustrated. Moments later, she abruptly ended the interview.

“I don’t want to keep doing this. I’m gonna call it. Thank you,” Porter said before getting up.

Watts tried to confirm whether she was walking out: “You’re not gonna do the interview with us?”

“Nope. Not like this, I’m not. Not with seven follow-ups to every single question you ask,” Porter fired back.

When the reporter calmly pointed out that other candidates had faced the same line of questioning, Porter cut her off again: “I don’t care. I have never had to do this before. Ever.”

Then came the line that’s likely to haunt her campaign: “I don’t want to have an unhappy experience with you, and I don’t want this all on camera.”

For a candidate running to lead the largest state in the nation, Porter’s performance was nothing short of disastrous. If she can’t handle a local news anchor asking routine questions, it raises serious doubts about how she’d respond under real pressure — such as managing crises, facing scrutiny, or dealing with political opposition.

Viewers watching the full exchange on CBS News Sacramento’s YouTube channel didn’t mince words. One commenter wrote: “Katie Porter just lost my vote! Very disappointed.”

This isn’t Porter’s first brush with controversy over her temperament. In 2023, the New York Post reported on court documents in which her ex-husband accused her of verbal and physical abuse — including throwing objects and pouring scalding-hot mashed potatoes on him during their marriage. Porter denied the allegations, but the newly released video adds fresh fuel to concerns about her demeanor and judgment.

Even Governor Gavin Newsom, no stranger to media scrutiny, has never melted down quite like this on camera.

Porter’s words — “I don’t want this all on camera” — may become the defining quote of her political career, a moment that perfectly captures a Democrat candidate who demands friendly coverage and folds when asked the simplest questions.

If she’s this rattled by local media, Californians should ask themselves: What would Katie Porter try to hide if she were governor?