After Gov. Newsom approved $90 million for Planned Parenthood, his wife scolded journalists
By Ashley Zavala
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SACRAMENTO, California (KCRA) — California’s First Partner Jennifer Siebel Newsom scolded journalists at a press conference Wednesday, after her husband, Gov. Gavin Newsom signed a bill to provide $90 million in grants to Planned Parenthood.
Newsom’s move was the latest in his administration and the legislature’s effort over the last several years to protect clinics and women’s health amid funding cuts and law changes by the Trump administration.
The bill signing is a typical setting for journalists to ask the governor questions on any topic, but Siebel Newsom said she found it “incredulous” that reporters were asking off-topic questions.
Questions ranged from Newsom’s response to calls for Casey Wasserman to step down as the LA 28 Olympics head, a proposal to keep some High-Speed Rail records secret and recent litigation with the project, plus Newsom’s upcoming trip to Munich.
As the governor answered questions, Siebel Newsom could be seen behind him whispering about and laughing at journalists with Assemblymembers Gail Pellerin, D-Santa Cruz, and Darshana Patel, D-San Diego.
Siebel at one point was asked to weigh in on the Wasserman situation. He’s facing backlash for exchanging racy emails with convicted sex trafficker and Jeffrey Epstein accomplice, Ghislaine Maxwell. She would not comment.
After the governor answered a question about the upcoming closure of an oil refinery in the Bay Area, lawmakers and Siebel Newsom broke out into a chant, “Planned Parenthood, protect women!”
Siebel Newsom then stepped to the microphone.
“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,” 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, and you don’t seem to care.”
“Ask about what we’re here for today! Don’t you think?” Siebel Newsom said.
Most of journalists in the room were women, including those representing television outlets, the Associated Press, Politico, the New York Times, and Cal Matters.
After Siebel Newsom’s plea for on-topic questions, one reporter asked how the funding would specifically be used.
Planned Parenthood CEO Jodi Hicks said the money is meant to help backfill Medicaid funding that Congress cut. State lawmakers have said the money cannot be used on abortion services.
After that, the governor continued taking off-topic questions.
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