Viral Video Shows Gavin Newsom's 2006 Outburst Over Underage Drinking Allegations
A decades-old interview featuring Gavin Newsom, then 38 years old and serving as Mayor of San Francisco, has surged in popularity across social media platforms. The footage captures a heated exchange where Newsom loses his temper with a journalist who questioned him about allegations that he provided alcohol to his 19-year-old girlfriend, Brittanie Mountz, while she was under the legal drinking age.
The Explosive Confrontation
The video, originally filmed in 2006, begins with the reporter referencing a San Francisco Chronicle article by Phillip Matier and Andrew Ross, which first brought the allegations to public attention. When asked for comment on the story, Newsom immediately walked away, accusing the journalist of taking a "cheap shot".
"You can't help yourself - you cannot!" a visibly furious Newsom shouted as he retreated. He continued to berate the reporter while descending a flight of stairs, stating, "Just know, for the record, it's increasingly impossible to have a conversation with you." Newsom suggested that sending other reporters would make interactions easier, to which the journalist calmly replied, "It's not personal here, either."
Newsom countered by claiming that facts were being missed and that the investigation into whether he supplied alcohol to Mountz was not helped by media reporting. The probe ultimately did not result in any charges. As Newsom entered his car, with a security guard slamming the door, the reporter remarked, "It's just a story, mayor."
Background of the Scandal
Newsom briefly dated Brittanie Mountz in September 2006, despite an almost 20-year age gap. Their relationship garnered headlines when Mountz was photographed holding a wine glass at the opening of a Bay Area shopping mall. At the time, Mountz was 19 or had just turned 20, while the legal drinking age in California is 21.
Newsom later denied dating Mountz, telling the New York Times that she was a friend and that "dating is not a term I would use." In the same year, he began dating Jennifer Siebel, whom he married two years later. Siebel revealed that Newsom warned her about the impending article, and she was frequently mistaken for Mountz afterward.
Other Personal Controversies
Newsom's personal life has been marked by several scandals. In 2007, he publicly admitted to having an affair in 2005 with Ruby Rippey Gibney, who was then married to his close friend and campaign adviser, Alex Tourk. Newsom issued a written apology, stating, "I am deeply sorry... I humbly ask all of those I have hurt for their forgiveness."
Jennifer Siebel Newsom initially defended her husband, blaming Gibney for the affair, but later apologized for her comments, expressing regret for the hurt caused. The Tourk marriage ended following the affair, and Gibney resigned from her position at City Hall.
Prior to his marriage to Siebel, Newsom was married to Kimberly Guilfoyle from 2001 to 2006, who later became engaged to Donald Trump Jr. His earlier relationship with kindergarten teacher Kelley Phleger in the 1990s also drew public attention.
Recent Viral Resurgence
The resurfaced video of Newsom's 2006 outburst has amassed hundreds of thousands of views on X in recent days, reigniting interest in the long-dormant scandal. The clip highlights the intense scrutiny faced by public figures and the lasting impact of past controversies on their reputations.
The Daily Mail has reached out to the California Governor's office for comment on the viral video, but no response has been reported at this time.
