California First Partner Jennifer Siebel Newsom unloaded on reporters at a Sacramento press conference about Planned Parenthood — accusing the mostly female journalists of inflicting a “horrific war on women” by not asking on-topic questions.
The shocking rant was part of a Siebel Newsom press blitz Wednesday as the wife of California Gov. Gavin Newsom was featured in a glossy Marie Claire profile that discussed her marriage, activist documentaries and First Lady bona fides — in which her powerful husband confessed she’d be “extraordinary” in the role as he teases a run for president.
“I think she’d be extraordinary in that role, even if she married someone else and they ran for that office. So forget me is all I’m saying,” gushed Newsom, who is expected to launch a 2028 White House bid.
The couple appeared at the press conference together Wednesday to announce “urgent legislation” to grant $90 million to Planned Parenthood after President Donald Trump’s Big Beautiful Bill cut federal funds for the reproductive care nonprofit.
But the self-appointed First Partner hijacked a Q&A session to scold reporters for asking questions on topics such as the troubled high-speed rail project and his visit to the Munich Security Conference.
“I find it incredulous that we have Planned Parenthood here, and women are 51% of the population, and the majority of these questions, all of these questions have been about other issues,” Siebel Newsom said.
“This happens over and over and over again. And we wonder why we have such a horrific war on women in this country and these guys are getting away with it. Because you guys don’t seem to care.”
The admonishment didn’t go over well with KCRA reporter and president of the Sacramento Press Club Ashley Zavala, who noted in a follow-up video that questions at press conferences are frequently off-topic.
“A setting like this is one of the few opportunities where the California Capitol press corps get the opportunity to ask Gov. Newsom questions. So often times in settings like this, they are off topic,” Zavala said.
Siebel Newsom’s wide-ranging interview with Marie Claire touched on her Hollywood past, her family history, and her thoughts on the Trump Administration — featuring gushing quotes from her husband, family friend Rep. Nancy Pelosi, and longtime pal Lily Riesenfeld, who weighed in on what she’d be like as First Lady.
“It feels really early, but it also feels important to stand up to what’s happening in our country … and so obviously I’m supportive of that,” Siebel Newsom said of the First Lady gig, calling it an “incredible platform.”
Siebel Newsom helms two nonprofits called the Representation Project and the California Partners Project focused on issues like toxic masculinity and equal pay for women.
She publishes self-care videos on Instagram, such as one suggesting fellow “emphaths” take a walk, eat fresh food and get lots of sleep to deal with political division.
