Comments made years ago by Jennifer Siebel Newsom are gaining renewed attention online, bringing fresh scrutiny to her views on religion and politics.
According to Fox News, the remarks stem from a 2022 interview in Los Angeles, where she spoke with journalist Elex Michaelson about her documentary, Fair Play.
The project was inspired by Eve Rodsky’s book of the same name, which explores gender roles and the division of labor at home.
During the discussion, Siebel Newsom shifted to broader social issues, including how she believes the concept of being “pro-life” should be interpreted.
“I appreciate that so many people, so many progressives, are leaning into redefining what pro-life is really about, and that’s what we’re doing in California,” Siebel Newsom said. “You know, pro-life is about prenatal care and universal preschool and universal after-school and universal healthcare and taking care of foster kids and feeding, you know, universal meals and childcare. Like, that’s pro-life. It’s not conception.”
She then turned her attention to those she described as part of the political right, criticizing what she called an insular mindset.
“They’re living in this silo, this evangelical, conservative silo that, ultimately, is just pulling us back as a country to a time and a place where we don’t deserve to be, and we’re not going to be,” Siebel Newsom said. “Because honestly, young women and fathers of daughters are awake now, and they’re woke, and they’re not going to let us go back.”
She added that she remains optimistic about the direction of the country and emphasized what she sees as California’s leadership role.
“I have so much hope because of that, and obviously California has a huge responsibility to lead,” she said.
More recently, Siebel Newsom again drew attention during an event tied to legislation signed by her husband, Gavin Newsom, involving funding for Planned Parenthood.
At that event, she criticized members of the press for focusing on topics she believed were unrelated to the purpose of the gathering.
“We just find it incredulous [sic] that we have Planned Parenthood here, and women are 51% of the population,” she said. “And the majority of the questions — all of these questions — have really been about other issues. So, it’s just fascinating.”
She continued to express frustration over what she described as a pattern in media coverage.
“You have the 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,” she 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.”
Closing her remarks, she urged reporters to stay focused on the issue at hand.
“So, I just offer that with love. Ask about what we’re here for today, don’t you think?”
