Katie Porter Blames Tom Steyer Staffer for Leaked Video of Her Yelling at Employee

California gubernatorial candidate Katie Porter has accused rival Tom Steyer’s campaign of leaking a damaging video that shows her yelling at and cursing a staff member during a 2021 recording session. The leaked footage, which depicts Porter telling an employee to get out of her shot while meeting with former Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm, has significantly harmed Porter’s campaign by reinforcing narratives about her harsh temperament. Porter cites a document indicating that Kevin Liao, now a spokesman for Steyer, was an expected participant in the original Zoom call and had access to the recording. While Porter initially apologized for her behavior, she has since doubled down on blaming Steyer’s team for the leak. Steyer’s campaign firmly denies any involvement, with a spokesperson stating that Porter is attempting to deflect from her own mistakes and that she alone is responsible for her declining poll numbers. Currently, Porter trails behind leading candidates Xavier Becerra, Steve Hilton, and Tom Steyer in the race. The incident has also sparked a wave of AI-generated mockery, further complicating her campaign's efforts to recover momentum.