Porter Tells CNN Moderator to F Trump During California Debate

Politics moves at a breakneck pace, but the race for California's governorship has ignited a fresh firestorm of controversy. During a televised debate on Tuesday night, former Congresswoman Katie Porter, a Democratic contender for the state's highest office, made no effort to soften her stance against President Donald Trump. When CNN moderator Kaitlan Collins inquired about a recent campaign fundraising email bearing the subject line "F*** Trump" and promising to "kick Trump's a** in November," the exchange quickly turned heated.

Collins asked Porter if this profanity-laced sentiment would serve as her guiding principle. After a prolonged pause, Porter replied bluntly, "If he's going to attack California, yeah, F him." The remark, captured on tape, underscores the intensity of the primary battle, with the election just a month away scheduled for June 2nd. Under California's top-two primary system, the two candidates with the most votes, regardless of party, will advance to the general election.

Porter entered the debate stage alongside six other contenders. The field included Republicans Chad Bianco, Steve Hilton, and Democrats Tom Steyer, Xavier Becerra, San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan, and former Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa. Current polling data paints a fragmented picture of the race. Porter has seen her support fluctuate between 8 and 20 percent across the five most recent surveys. Meanwhile, Steyer and Becerra remain the frontrunners, closely contesting the top spot, while Hilton also maintains a strong position, bolstered by a notable endorsement from President Trump.

The debate, held in Monterey Park on May 5, 2026, provided a backdrop for further skirmishes between the candidates. Porter, who currently holds a poll average of roughly 14 percent, did not shy away from attacking her rivals. In one memorable moment, she directed a taunt at Chad Bianco, the incumbent sheriff of Riverside County, telling him to "cowboy up, cupcake." Bianco, running as a Republican, faced Porter's aggressive rhetoric throughout the evening.

Katie Zacharia, a California native who previously served as a spokeswoman for the Department of Homeland Security under the Trump administration, offered an external perspective on the growing animosity. Speaking to The Daily Mail on Tuesday, she stated she was unsurprised by Porter's vitriol. "Nobody should be shocked by the level of vituperation that Katie Porter is willing to engage in to denigrate her opponents or the President of the United States," Zacharia said. She cited Porter's treatment of her husband, noting a specific incident involving "scalding hot mashed potatoes," as well as the "abusive treatment of her staff," as evidence of a pattern of behavior.

The tension also spilled over into a separate interview with CBS California reporter Julia Watts. Watts pressed Porter on the strategy of winning over California's 6.1 million residents who voted for Trump, a group Porter previously dismissed in a 2025 interview by stating she did not need their support. Watts insisted that Porter would "need to win" these voters to succeed.

Porter, furrowing her brow, rejected the premise of the question. "How would I need them in order to win, ma'am?" she shot back, dismissing the idea as unnecessary argumentation. Watts did not back down, challenging Porter's assumptions about the voting landscape. "Unless you think you're going to get 60 percent of the vote. You think you'll get 60 percent? Everyone who did not vote for Trump will vote for you?" Watts pressed.

Porter laughed before responding, "If it is me versus a Republican?" The clip of the exchange quickly went viral, highlighting the deep polarization and the combative nature of the upcoming primary. As the June 2nd primary approaches, the race remains highly competitive, with candidates like Steyer, Becerra, and Hilton vying for the top spots while Porter continues to define her campaign through a lens of uncompromising opposition to the Trump administration.

I think that I will win the people who did not vote for Trump."

Watts reminded Porter that California operates a jungle primary, allowing candidates from all parties to compete before only the top two advance to the general election. This structure means Porter could potentially face a fellow Democrat in the final round.

Porter's latest advertisement attempts to mock her recent viral meltdown, yet the spot has also been criticized online by many observers.

The California gubernatorial race was dramatically altered after former Congressman Eric Swalwell quit the contest in April. He left following allegations that he had sexually assaulted a woman who worked under him.

Cynthia Kaui, a Republican California politician, told the Daily Mail that President Donald Trump's endorsement of Steve Hilton carries significant weight. She noted that Trump remains deeply popular with the conservative base and No Party Preference voters.

Kaui also highlighted Sheriff Chad Bianco's strong reputation throughout Riverside County and across California. She described him as a bold, courageous leader who stood firmly for his community during the COVID-19 lockdowns.

According to Kaui, voters view Bianco as someone willing to take principled stands under pressure. In contrast, she noted that Katie Porter continues to face criticism over allegations regarding the treatment of her staffers.

Steyer and Becerra have since risen to the top of the Democratic pack. This development raises the prospect that both finalists in the general election could come from the same party.

Steyer has been running attack ads against Becerra for weeks. Tonight's CNN debate marks his first real opportunity to take that fight directly to the former health secretary on a national stage.

A new California Democratic Party poll showed Becerra leading Steyer by six points with eighteen percent support. This showing is notable because the survey was conducted after Steyer's ads began airing. The results suggest the attacks have so far failed to dent Becerra's standing.

Steyer has gone after Becerra on several fronts, including his tenure at HHS, a corruption scandal involving a former chief of staff, and ties to oil industry money. However, he had conspicuously avoided direct confrontation during two previous televised debates.

Swalwell has been accused of sexual misconduct by at least five women. One former staffer alleged that Swalwell, who is married, raped her twice when she was too intoxicated to consent in 2019 and 2024. She is one of four women who have made allegations against the Democrat.

Swalwell then announced he was suspending his campaign. He stated he was deeply sorry for mistakes in judgment he had made in his past. At the same time, he disputed what he called false allegations against him.