Former U.S. Representative Katie Porter, now a leading candidate in California’s 2026 governor’s race, is facing renewed scrutiny after abruptly cutting off a television interview that quickly went viral. The clip has revived decade-old abuse allegations stemming from her divorce — accusations Porter has long denied — and injected fresh turbulence into one of the nation’s most high-profile gubernatorial campaigns.

California’s open governor’s race has already become a test of temperament, transparency, and gendered double standards in politics. Porter, known nationally for her sharp questioning style during congressional hearings, is now confronting a narrative shift — from tough interrogator to potentially volatile candidate. As she works to consolidate Democratic support in a crowded field, the controversy threatens to distract from her policy platform on housing, healthcare, and corporate accountability.

During a sit-down with CBS News California Investigates correspondent Julie Watts, Porter was pressed about Proposition 50, a proposed ballot measure that could reshape California’s congressional maps. The tone shifted when Watts asked: “What do you say to the 40 percent of California voters, who you’ll need in order to win, who voted for Donald Trump?” Porter responded that she doesn’t believe she’ll need to win over Trump voters, citing California’s strong Democratic lean. As the reporter pressed further, Porter grew visibly irritated.

“I don’t want to keep doing this. I’m going to call it,” Porter said. “Not like this — not with seven follow-ups to every single question you ask.” CBS later clarified that Porter stayed to finish the interview. Still, the video spread rapidly on X (formerly Twitter), prompting critics to question her temperament and leadership style.

Online commentators quickly resurfaced old abuse allegations from Porter’s contentious 2013 divorce from ex-husband Matthew Hoffman. Hoffman once claimed that Porter had poured boiling or near-boiling potatoes on his head during a domestic dispute. Porter denied the allegation and filed for a restraining order, accusing Hoffman of being the aggressor. Her spokesperson, Lindsay Reilly, later said Hoffman’s lawyer filed a “reciprocal” protection order on the morning of the hearing — a common defensive tactic, she said, meant to intimidate victims.

“Her then-husband later admitted he regretted making these allegations,” Reilly told Fox News Digital. The incident has become a flashpoint again after the viral interview, with conservative pundits framing Porter’s outburst as evidence of a long-standing anger problem. Political strategist Steve Guest posted: “CONFIRMED: Katie Porter has an anger problem.” Republican commentator Matt Whitlock went further, writing: “This Katie Porter crashout is incredible. Easy to imagine her pouring boiling mashed potatoes on her husband’s head.”

The renewed wave of scrutiny also revived a separate viral clip — Porter berating a staff member during a video call with then–Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm, in which she told the staffer: “Get out of my f** shot.” The Democratic field remains crowded, with Xavier Becerra, Tony Thurmond, Antonio Villaraigosa, and Betty Yee also in contention. Republicans Chad Bianco and Steve Hilton are expected to compete for a smaller but energized GOP base.

Despite the uproar, Porter remains one of the best-known names in the race. Polling suggests her support remains steady among Democratic primary voters, though a large number of Californians remain undecided. Former HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra appeared to allude to the controversy, saying: “I’m not interested in excluding any voter. Every Californian deserves affordable health care, safe streets, and a roof over their head.” Analyst Nate Silver offered a more sympathetic take, noting that “TV is a really unnatural medium,” and that Porter’s frustration may have been a “human reaction” to an adversarial setup.

Though most of the allegations are more than a decade old, several legal dynamics continue to shape how they’re handled and perceived. Defamation Law,