Media Mauls Gavin Newsom’s Spouse Over Bossy Journalism Briefing

Media figures ripped into Democratic California Gov. Gavin Newsom’s wife, Jennifer Siebel Newsom, after she scolded the press pool for asking off-topic questions at a press conference.

Newsom held a press conference Wednesday afternoon to sign Senate Bill 106, which provides $90 million in one-time emergency funds for Planned Parenthood and other clinics offering “reproductive health care services.” After a handful of women, including Siebel Newsom, spoke in support of the bill, the Democratic governor made his own speech before opening the floor to questions from reporters.

Standing behind her husband, Siebel Newsom appeared visibly annoyed as Newsom fielded questions about the state’s troubled high-speed rail project and his planned trip to Munich. As the questions continued, one woman in the group of speakers began chanting “protect women, Planned Parenthood.”

Siebel Newsom could then be heard telling her husband she wanted to speak, before stepping forward and moving him aside.

“We just find it incredulous that we have Planned Parenthood here, and women are 51% of the population, and the majority of the questions, all of these questions have really been about other issues. So it’s just fascinating. You have this incredible women’s caucus and all these allies, and you’re not asking about it. And this happens over and over and over and over again,” Siebel Newsom said.

“You wonder why we have such a horrific war on women in this country, and that these guys are getting away with it, because you don’t seem to care,” Siebel Newsom added. “So I just offer that with love. But these are — you have incredible women in this room, and you have these allies. Ask about what we’re here for today, don’t you think?”