...
By James Bickerton
News Reporter
0
Share
Newsweek is a Trust Project member
See more of our trusted coverage when you search.Prefer Newsweek on Googleto see more of our trusted coverage when you search.
An AI-generated video showing California Democratic gubernatorial candidate Katie Porter assaulting a journalist has gone viral on social media, racking up over 1 million views.
Newsweek contacted Porter’s campaign for comment on Monday via email outside regular office hours.
Why It Matters
Improvements in artificial intelligence mean computer-generated videos are becoming increasingly convincing. The technology allows users to produce footage that appears to show people saying or doing things they never said or did.
Read More on News
Experts have warned that such videos may go viral and deceive voters, potentially increasing voter distrust in the media and political system more generally.
...
What To Know
Last week, CBS News broadcast a series of interviews with Democratic politicians hoping to become the next governor of California. Incumbent Governor Gavin Newsom, who took office in 2019, is term-limited from running in the 2026 gubernatorial election.
One of the interviews featured Katie Porter, a former member of the U.S. House of Representatives, who clashed with CBS’s Julie Watts after the journalist repeatedly asked follow-up questions.
“I don’t want to keep doing this. I’m going to call it, thank you,” Porter said at one point in the interview, though she went on to answer several questions.
On October 8, X user @MoogRogue shared an 18 -second AI-generated video in which Porter appears to repeatedly slap Watts, wrestle with her, throw her to the floor and stomp on her.
The video has since racked up more than 1.2 million views, and X users have added a community note to inform viewers that the clip is AI-generated.
Another AI-generated video that showed Porter throwing mashed potatoes on Watts was also widely shared.
Matthew Hoffman, Porter’s ex-husband, previously alleged that she had dumped boiling potatoes on him. Porter strongly denied the allegation and filed a restraining order against Hoffman, who she said had been abusive during their relationship.
Lindsay Reilly, Porter’s spokesperson, told Fox News Digital in 2023 that on “the morning of the hearing on Porter’s request for a temporary restraining order following documented violence by her then-husband, her then-husband’s lawyer filed a reciprocal request for protection.”
She added: “This common defensive tactic is designed to intimidate a victim. Her then-husband later admitted, as evidenced by the attached document, that ‘he regretted making these allegations.’”
What People Are Saying
Republican commentator Matt Whitlock wrote on X in response to Porter’s authentic CBS News interview: “This Katie Porter crashout is INCREDIBLE. Easy to imagine her pouring boiling mashed potatoes on her husband’s head.”
Journalist Yashar Ali wrote on X: “Someone who used to work with Katie Porter sent me this clip from a train-wreck interview with her and said, ‘Now imagine what she’s like when there aren’t cameras around.’”
What Happens Next
As AI capabilities continue to increase, it is likely more deepfake video featuring prominent political figures will be produced, potentially leading to calls for greater regulation.
The 2026 California gubernatorial election is scheduled for November 3, following a primary on June 2.
View 0 Comments
Submit Correction
View Editorial & AI Guidelines