Katie Porter Faces Backlash Over Campaign Ad Referencing Viral Outbursts

Democratic California gubernatorial candidate Katie Porter is drawing criticism for a new campaign ad that references her past viral outbursts. Some called it one of the worst political ads as she campaigns to succeed Gov. Gavin Newsom.

The 30-second spot, released Monday, shows Porter grocery shopping, filling her car with gas and her grown child sleeping on her couch. It targets President Donald Trump with supporters holding signs reading Dump Trump #NOKINGS, CALL OUT RACISM and ABOLISH ICE. The ad portrays Porter as ready to stand up to Trump.

Now, could you guys please get out of my shot? Porter says at the end, echoing her viral moment from a staffer during an interview.

In October 2025, a video emerged of Porter telling a staffer to get out of my f---ing shot during a video call promoting the Biden administration. She also faced scrutiny over another video where she threatened to end an interview with a journalist last year. The ad treats the controversy lightly as Porter seeks to ease voter concerns about her temperament.

Social media users ridiculed the ad. This is by far the worst political ad I’ve ever seen, US Sun editor Harry Cole wrote on X.

An abuser turning her own behavior into a campaign joke. Katie Porter’s new ad is contempt for every staffer she mistreated, every person she’s screamed at, and every plate of mashed potatoes she’s thrown, wrote Michael Curry, vice chair of the Republican Party of Riverside County, on X.

I'm at a loss for words. This is so bad, Democratic strategist Keith Edwards posted.

Porter's outbursts have prompted questions in California and nationwide about her fitness to lead the state.

Everybody in California had a chance to see me on stage with that reporter in the last debate, and see exactly how I conducted myself. Californians can decide for themselves about my temperament based on what they've seen here tonight, she said Tuesday during the gubernatorial debate.

You see that in the ad… somebody who's taken responsibility again and again in this race and is also able to laugh at herself and show that she's grown. I think that is a mark of leadership and I want to show people that, Porter told KRON 4 on Monday.

Porter recently faced backlash for a campaign email to donors that used F--- Trump four times, including in the subject line. It came a day after an assassination attempt on Trump at the White House Correspondents' Association Dinner on April 25.