Jennifer Siebel Newsom, wife of California Gov. Gavin Newsom, called the investigation targeting the couple a “fishing expedition” in an awkward interview Friday — her first extended comments on the subject since the Democratic governor dropped news in June of a bombshell federal probe.
At one point, the feminist filmmaker seemed flustered when asked directly by MS Now anchor Stephanie Ruhle if the investigation actually started under former Democratic President Joe Biden, as some sources have alleged.
Both the governor, who is considering a run for president in 2028, and wife have stuck to their claims the probe is politically motivated by Republican President Donald Trump.
“I don’t know the details,” Siebel Newsom said after a pause.
She then tried to explain the timeline.
“I do know that Trump was coming after my husband when…back when Biden was president and Biden was running for the presidency.”
“So look, this is a fishing expedition, and I think what you’re saying is, it’s just been going on for a long time,” she continued. “My husband is Trump’s most outspoken critic…I don’t know, they’ve always targeted my husband.”
Siebel Newsom blasted the conservative “media empire” for wanting to “silence” any potential presidential run from Newsom by going after the couple.
“This is typical Trump fashion: go after your enemies,” she said.
She also remarked on the “irony” of the situation, comparing the Justice Department’s probe to themes highlighted in her feminist documentaries of the “patriarchy” trying to go after and take down strong women.
Sources close to Newsom have told other media outlets that the investigation focuses on Siebel Newsom’s nonprofit projects, which support her documentary work.
The California Post revealed in March that Siebel Newsom’s California Partners Project has received millions in “behested payments” arranged by her powerful husband.
The governor claimed in a video address on June 15 that federal agents have knocked on the doors of family, friends and former employees.
Siebel Newsom, prior to the Friday interview, had only issued a statement on the probe. When a reporter approached her a day after Newsom made the probe public, she dodged the question and gave an unrelated answer.
The feds have seemed to dismiss any claims of political motivations by the Newsoms.
“He can choose to say whatever he thinks helps him — it doesn’t make it true,” Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche said July 1 on Gov. Newsom.
