The Brett Cooper Show: “Fang Fang’s Farting Boyfriend and the Evil Soccer Mom”

Episode 98 | November 22, 2025
Host: Brett Cooper

Overview

In this episode, Brett Cooper dives into the unfolding drama of the upcoming 2026 California gubernatorial race, highlighting the two leading Democratic contenders, Katie Porter and Eric Swalwell. Through humor and sharp critique, Brett examines their controversial histories, viral media moments, and what these candidates reveal about generational and cultural shifts in politics. She further discusses why the pool of political talent seems so shallow, the impact of social media, and the importance of civic engagement at the state level.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The California Gubernatorial Race: Reality TV in Politics

• Brett opens with mock exasperation about the state of the California election:

  “Scalding hot potatoes, massive farts on screen and sleeping with Chinese spies. I mean, what more could Californians want?” (00:00)

• The candidates:
  • Katie Porter: Portrayed as “comic-level, sitcom-level, terrible wife soccer mom Karen” with anger management issues.
  • Eric Swalwell: Memorable for both political gaffes and alleged personal scandals.
• Brett warns:

  “Unfortunately for California, their top contenders are Katie Porter and Eric Swalwell, two of the most insane, unlikable people in all of politics. I mean, both of them are basically buffoonish cartoon villains at this point.” (02:44)

2. Katie Porter’s Media Meltdown & Viral Clips

• Walk-off Interview:

  • In a clip, Katie Porter becomes visibly frustrated when asked about needing Trump voters to win, ultimately walking out.
  • Memorable exchange:

    B (Reporter): “What do you say to the 40% of California voters who you'll need in order to win? Who voted for Trump?” (04:13)
    C (Porter): “How would I need them in order to win?” (04:20)

    • Multiple follow-ups frustrate Porter, leading her to end the interview:

      C: “I don't want to keep doing this. I'm going to call it. Thank you.” (05:57)
      B: “You're not going to do the interview with us?” (06:01)
      C: “Nope. Not like this, I'm not. Not with seven follow ups to every single question you ask.” (06:04)

• Brett’s take:

  “She has never had to do a normal interview where you are asked a question, you sort of answer and the conversation continues. That is just how conversations and interviews go. However, in Katie Porter's place, she didn't even answer the question to begin with.” (06:25)

• Staffer Outburst (2021 Leaked Clip):

  • Brett shares a viral an old, bleep-filled clip of Porter yelling at aides:

    C (Porter): “State could lose. Get out of my fucking shot.” (10:47)

    • Brett remarks:

      “Can you imagine working for that woman?... this woman is a piece of work.” (11:06)

• Bad Boss Allegations:

  • Brett reviews text exchanges in which Porter fires a staffer grieving a murdered friend for missing a COVID test:

    “You hear that? Your employee's friend was just murdered. And even if you want to go ahead and fire her and be angry at her, you do not even have the decency to say, wow, Sasha, I am so sorry. That must be really hard.” (15:54)

  • Discussion of a 2023 Politico piece blaming critiques on sexism:

    “I think people in general just don't wanna work for an asshole… that goes for men and women.” (16:40)

• Refusing to Confirm No More Leaks:

  • When asked if more damaging videos exist, Porter dodges:

    C: “What I know is that I could have done better. In those moments, I'm going to be focused on earning their votes and earning their trust.” (17:37)

    • Brett’s reaction: “She just gave this long winded answer… I'm going to answer all of her questions and your questions, just not this one.” (18:28)

3. Family Allegations & Political Messaging

• Discussion of Porter's divorce filings and alleged domestic abuse:

  “Her husband alleged in their divorce filing that she had abused him as well. Which, yes, included dumping scalding hot potatoes on his head.” (19:11)

• Sharing of Porter's campaign stories using her young daughters’ anxieties about climate change and abortion:

  C: “I have a nine year old daughter. I told my nine year old daughter that I was going to be speaking with you. And she said, the earth is on fire and we're all going to die soon.” (21:00) C: “She said, mom, Trump won. Trump's gonna win. And what if I get raped and I need to have an abortion? This is from a 12 year old, my 12 year old daughter.” (21:26)

• Brett's response:

  “If your children are walking around thinking that the earth is on fire and that they're going to die, or that they might not be able to kill their baby if she gets raped, I mean, what 12 year old is thinking about rape, that is on the mother 100%.” (21:58)

4. Porter's Stance on Controversial Internet Language

• Katie Porter advocates against use of the term “groomer” online:

  C: “The allegation of groomer and pedophile. It is alleging that a person is criminal somehow and engaged in criminal acts merely because of their identity...” (22:34)

• Brett's commentary:

  “It would actually be the age of who they want to sleep with. And if people are peddling weird sexual fetishes and kinks in front of children, I think we have a right… to call that out and call it what it is. But in Katie Porter's mind, oh no, totally fine.” (22:54)

5. Eric Swalwell: The Other "Option"

• Brett sarcastically switches focus:

  “Which brings us to the other demon. I'm sorry, Democrat, who is running for governor of California.” (22:58)

• Swalwell’s Campaign Announcement:

  • Swalwell announces his run on Jimmy Kimmel, emphasizing his record against Trump:

    D (Swalwell): "I'm ready to bring this fight home. So I came here tonight, Jimmy, to tell you and your audience that I'm running to be the next governor of California." (25:21)

  • Brett critiques his priorities:

    “His number one priority is to fight Donald Trump. I'm sorry, Trump is California's biggest issue. Not the fact that it's been run by Democrats largely for the last few 50 years.” (26:38)

• Swalwell’s Infamous Fart:

  • Brett replays the meme-laden moment from a congressional hearing:

    D (Swalwell): "The evidence is uncontradicted that the president used taxpayer dollars to ask the Ukrainians to… to help him cheat an election." [audible fart] (27:55)

  • Brett:

    “That is like a full on whoopee cushion level fart. …at least he didn't yell at anyone on camera for it. So 10 points to Gryffindor for that one.” (28:07)

• Swalwell’s Meme Tantrums:

  • Plays a clip of Swalwell ranting about GOP memes on pet protection:

    D (Swalwell): “What in the hell is this?” (28:38)

  • Brett notes:

    “Maybe you should figure out why that's happening and sort it out for the sake of the cats and the ducks.” (29:00)

• The Fang Fang Scandal:

  • Brett discusses the long-running rumor of Swalwell’s alleged involvement with suspected Chinese spy Fang Fang:

    “He banged a Chinese spy. Allegedly he had a little thing thing going on with the Chinese spy, Fang Fang.” (29:20)

  • Speculates about why no damaging staffer footage of Swalwell has leaked (yet).

6. Reflection: Why Are Political Choices So Grim?

• Brett’s take on systemic problems:

  “Why do we have such awful options for candidates like Swalwell or Katie Porter?... There's just no incentive for good competent people to go into politics. It sure doesn't seem like it anymore, unfortunately.” (30:50)

7. An Alternative: Chad Bianco

• Brett highlights Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco, now leading in early polls at 13%:

  “Now, thankfully there is another option for California if he can get through the primaries… even though it's California right now, Chad is actually in the lead.” (32:09)

• Skepticism about his chances once “the Democrat machine” mobilizes.
• Brett’s summary of the state of the race:

  “It unfortunately will most likely come down to the two Democrats. …the actual evil Glee football coach screaming Karen or Fang Fang's farting boyfriend. Those are the options at hand.” (33:12)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Katie Porter’s interview style:

  • “I don't want to keep doing this. I'm going to call it. Thank you.” – Katie Porter (05:57)
  • “She has never had to do a normal interview where you are asked a question, you sort of answer and the conversation continues. That is just how conversations and interviews go.” – Brett Cooper (06:25)

• On the missing decency in politics:

  • “I think people in general just don't wanna work for an asshole. That goes for men and women.” – Brett Cooper (16:40)

• On using children in political narratives:

  • “[If] your children are walking around thinking that the earth is on fire … I mean, what 12 year old is thinking about rape, that is on the mother 100%.” – Brett Cooper (21:58)

• On Eric Swalwell’s campaign messaging:

  • “It took him 30 seconds in this clip to get to making California great. The first 30 seconds were dedicated to him being endorsed by Nancy Pelosi. That is a terrible endorsement, my friend.” – Brett Cooper (26:38)

• On the state of California’s candidate pool:

  • “The actual evil Glee football coach screaming Karen or Fang Fang's farting boyfriend. Those are the options at hand. So California, if that does not get you out to vote in the primaries, guys, I don't know what will.” – Brett Cooper (33:12)

Timestamps of Important Segments

• [00:00]–[02:44]: Introduction & Overview of the Gubernatorial Race
• [04:13]–[06:10]: Katie Porter's Interview Walk-off – Full Exchange with Reporter
• [10:47]–[11:06]: 2021 Leaked Clip – Porter Swears at Staffer
• [12:50]–[16:40]: Bad Boss Allegations and Politico Article on Gendered Criticism
• [17:29]–[18:28]: Porter Dodges Questions About More Leaked Videos
• [19:11]–[21:58]: Divorce Allegations, Political Use of Her Children
• [22:34]–[22:54]: Porter's Stance on Using "Groomer" Online
• [24:22]–[26:38]: Eric Swalwell’s Campaign Announcement & Priorities
• [27:55]–[28:07]: The “Farting Boyfriend” Meme
• [28:38]–[29:00]: Meme Tantrum & Dismissal of Real Issues
• [29:20]–[30:50]: Fang Fang Affair & Systemic Issues in Candidate Quality
• [32:09]–[33:12]: Chad Bianco, Early Polls, and the State of the Race

Takeaway

Brett Cooper’s exploration of California’s gubernatorial race turns a bleak candidate pool into sharp, meme-driven commentary on the state of modern politics. Her pointed critiques and viral moment breakdowns lampoon both leading Democrats, reflecting a widespread dissatisfaction with political leadership and underscoring the importance of active civic engagement. The episode closes with a pragmatic warning: unless voters get involved at the primary level, the general election may yet again come down to “the actual evil Glee football coach screaming Karen or Fang Fang's farting boyfriend.”