A video interview from 2022 featuring Jennifer Siebel Newsom, wife of California Governor Gavin Newsom, has resurfaced online and is generating significant attention and controversy.
The footage originates from a 2022 sit-down with journalist Elex Michaelson, recorded while he was still working at a local Los Angeles television station.
During the interview, Siebel Newsom appeared to promote her documentary titled “Fair Play.”
The film was inspired by a book of the same name, authored by Eve Rodsky.
Rodsky’s book examines gender roles within the household.
During the interview, Siebel Newsom turned her attention to the topic of abortion and what she described as a redefinition of the term “pro-life.”
“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 in the interview.
She continued by laying out her vision of what that term should mean.
“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 said.
Siebel Newsom then directed criticism toward those she characterized as being on the “far right.” She described those individuals as living within what she called an “evangelical, conservative silo.”
“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 stated.
She followed that remark with a reference to what she characterized as an awakening among certain voter groups.
“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 said.
Siebel Newsom also expressed optimism tied to California’s role on national issues.
“I have so much hope because of that, and obviously California has a huge responsibility to lead,” she added.
This resurfaced interview is not the first time Siebel Newsom has drawn public attention in recent weeks.
Last month, she drew scrutiny after making pointed remarks directed at reporters during an event connected to a bill signed by Governor Newsom that allocates funding to Planned Parenthood.
At that event, she challenged members of the press for their line of questioning.
“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 pressed reporters further, questioning their priorities.
“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.
Siebel Newsom went on to connect media coverage directly to what she characterized as broader societal consequences.
“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,” she said.
She concluded her remarks to reporters by saying, “So, I just offer that with love. Ask about what we’re here for today, don’t you think?”
