California Democrat Gov. Gavin Newsom’s wife, Jennifer Siebel Newsom, is facing mounting scrutiny after video surfaced of her unloading on reporters at a large scale press conference.
Siebel Newsom, who was speaking at an event about Planned Parenthood, suddenly accused the mostly female journalists of inflicting a “horrific war on women” by not asking on-topic questions.
The shocking rant was part of a pre-planned Siebel Newsom press tour Wednesday following her feature in a Marie Claire profile that discussed her marriage, activist documentaries, as well as her husband saying she’d be an ”extraordinary” First Lady, as he continues to tease a presidential bid in 2028.
The power 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.
However, Siebel Newsom suddenly took over a Q&A session and began scolding 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.”
Take a listen — including her husband’s reaction.
Wow—
Jenifer Siebel Newsom—CA’s First Partner and Gov’s wife— scolds California Capitol press corps for not asking on topic questions at a Planned Parenthood press conference.
“You don’t seem to care.”
Most of the journalists in the room —repping AP to NY Times —were women. pic.twitter.com/I59M0Kvl0j
— Ashley Zavala (@ZavalaA) February 11, 2026
Her rant did not sit well with reporters, who pushed back on her assumption that could damage her and her husband’s reputation as they continue to push for a potential presidential bid.
Local affiliate KCRA reporter and president of the Sacramento Press Club Ashley Zavala 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.
Journalists have a right to ask what they want, and off-topic questions at an event are normal. pic.twitter.com/MH8yCcRT53
— Ashley Zavala (@ZavalaA) February 11, 2026
In an effort to minimize the damage, Newsom continued to take off-topic questions directly from the press despite his wife’s best efforts, even noting he “didn’t echo her.”
Yikes!
Off topic questions—from women—included Billionaire Tax, Casey Wasserman, mine were around the High-Speed Rail, also the National Governors Association, and Newsom’s trip to Munich.
Gov. Newsom didn’t echo her and he continued taking off topic questions after she said this. https://t.co/HiYbh7y7IG
— Ashley Zavala (@ZavalaA) February 11, 2026
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.
However, she has been under scrutiny after it was reported that she runs companies employed with her husband’s former Democratic aides and confidants and is brining in hundreds of thousands of dollars in fees from the state and lobbyists, according to public records.
According to reports, Siebel Newsom also received donations to her Representation Project nonprofit from companies that lobbied her husband.
The Sacramento-based Representation Project, which describes itself as “the leading gender watchdog organization,” pays Siebel Newsom $150,000 a year for a 40-hour work week, according to tax filings.
As previously reported by The Horn News, multiple government watchdogs insist this is a blatant conflict of interest to gain favor from the Newsom’s.
“It is no surprise Gavin and Jennifer Newsom have leveraged their business and non-profit endeavors for personal and political gain,” said Caitlin Sutherland, executive director of Americans for Public Trust, a non-partisan watchdog group.
“Backed by left-wing megadonors with ties to the governor, the power couple’s ventures have raked in hundreds of thousands of dollars, pushing a politicized agenda into public schools, all while personally benefiting the Newsoms.”