Katie Porter admits she ‘could have handled things better’ after viral videos
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California gubernatorial candidate and former Democratic lawmaker Katie Porter admitted she “could have handled things better” after viral videos emerged showing her anger toward a reporter and a staff member.
In one of the videos, Porter became agitated with a reporter and nearly interrupted the interview. In an earlier video, which Politico reports is from 2021, the politician yells at a staffer, “Get off my f—ing shot!” he snapped. after the person entered the video frame from behind Porter.
“When I look at these videos, I want people to know that I realize I can handle things better,” Porter said. in the Intra-California Politics program. “I think I’m known as someone who can handle tough questions, is willing to answer questions, and I want people to know that I really value the incredible work that my staff can do.”
“I think people who know me know I can be strong, but I need to do a better job of recognizing the amazing job my team is doing,” he added.
KATIE PORTER INTERVIEW GOES VIRAL WHILE JOURNALISTS ARE SURPRISED AT THE DEMOCRATIC COLLAPSE
Then Representative. Katie Porter, California, seen in Los Angeles on May 28, 2023. (Jerod Harris/Getty Images for Demand Justice)
The clip of Porter threatening to leave CBS California’s Julie Watts during an interview went viral last week.
Porter snapped at Watts’ questions, became visibly impatient with his follow-ups, and even tried to leave in frustration at one point, calling the interviewer “argumentative.” Porter told Watts after the press that he “didn’t want to have an unhappy experience” with her and that he “didn’t want all of this to happen on camera.”
“I want to make sure people understand why I’m in this race and what I’m fighting for,” Porter said this week on Inside California Politics. “I think what I hear from people as I travel around the state is that they understand that we’re in a very extraordinary moment.” “With Donald Trump’s attack on our economy and our society, and our long-standing challenges with affordability, people know they’re going to need someone who is strong, tough, warrior, and a driving force.”
DEMOCRATIC ENDED MANY INTERVIEWS AFTER REPEATEDLY BEHIND THE REPORTER: ‘I DON’T CARE’
Representative Katie Porter, California, speaks at the Supreme Court’s “Fair Majority” press conference in Washington, D.C., on June 22, 2023 (Paul Morigi for a Fair Majority/Getty Images)
“I think if people are looking for someone to sit quietly in Sacramento and approve of things, that’s not me. But I could definitely have handled things better,” he said.
In the other clip, Rep. Porter, D-Calif., was speaking remotely with Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm about energy and climate issues. At one point, an officer entered the frame, prompting Porter to move and yelling, “Get off my fucking shot!” He encouraged me to shout.
He also scolded the employee for appearing in the background earlier.
“You were lucky enough to have me before that,” Porter said. “Stay out of my shooting range.”
Porter announced this week that he had apologized to that staff member.
Representative Katie Porter speaks during a House Oversight and Accountability Committee business meeting on January 31, 2023 in Washington. (Al Drago/Bloomberg via Getty Images)
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“I expressed that I was sorry, I was angry, I was disappointed in the moment, and I told him I was grateful that he took the time to set me straight,” she said. “We managed to reshoot, I got the facts right.”
Fox News Digital’s Alex Nitzberg, Alexander Hall, David Rutz and Greg Wehner contributed to this report.
