'Fishing expedition': Newsom's wife SPEAKS OUT in first interview on the DOJ's probe

[0:00] Enemies. Joining me now for her first interview about this investigation is Jennifer Siebel Newsome. [0:04] Jennifer, I'm so glad you're here. This is an ordeal. [0:08] Do you have any more information about what exactly the Justice Department is claiming to be looking for? [0:16] No, this is a fishing expedition. I mean, this is typical Trump fashion. [0:22] Go after your enemies. And so you'd have to ask the DOJ. [0:26] But the irony is that this all happened as I was premiering my latest documentary, Misrepresentation Rise Up. [0:32] Which looks at the myriad ways the patriarchy, conservatives harass, threaten, intimidate and try to silence women who speak truth to power. [0:45] And the irony of all ironies is that life in this instance is imitating art. [0:52] And it's here in front of us under Trump's leadership. [0:57] Is it having an impact on your work? Because the investigation is allegedly looking into your nonprofit that focuses on gender equity. [1:07] How is this impacting you and your business, essentially? [1:12] Look, I've written, directed and produced five documentaries that expose harmful gender stereotypes and norms. [1:20] And the benefits to society when we value women, when we value the feminine, when we help men lean into care at home. [1:29] And I will keep doing this work. [1:32] I am very proud of the work that I do. [1:36] We're making an impact in the world. [1:38] The world is better off when women are supported. [1:42] Children are better off when women's wealth, health and safety are addressed. [1:48] Our communities are healthier and our economy thrives. [1:51] The Trump administration has been using the Department of Justice, it's no surprise, to launch investigations and prosecutions of people that the president sees as his political opponents. [2:03] But is it true that this investigation started during the Biden administration? [2:12] You know, I don't know the details. [2:14] I do know that, you know, Trump was coming after my husband when back when Biden was was president and Biden was running for the presidency. [2:25] And I thought it was ironic. [2:28] So, look, this is this is a fishing expedition. [2:33] And I think what you're saying is that it's just been going on for a long time. [2:37] My husband is Trump's most outspoken critic and he's the GOP's biggest, you know, I don't know. [2:48] They've always targeted my husband. [2:50] And whether it's the GOP themselves or, you know, their media empire with Rupert Murdoch and the like, we're just, you know, kind of sitting ducks in that regard because they think that my husband's aspiring for the presidency. [3:06] And they want to silence him. [3:08] And therefore, they go after his wife and those close to him. [3:14] Is he aspiring for the presidency? [3:19] I believe right now we are focused on California. [3:23] We built a foundation. [3:24] I've been focused on women and children and communities. [3:27] I'm really proud of the work we're doing to close the women's wealth gap, the women's wage gap to get women on public company boards. [3:34] I'm really proud of the work we're doing with our Cal Kid and Cal Savers accounts. [3:37] It's before Trump accounts and the financial literacy that's being mandated in all high schools. [3:43] I'm just, you know, we're trying to set California up for success. [3:46] We are the fourth largest economy under my husband's leadership. [3:50] California GDP has surged 40 percent. [3:54] It's higher than Germany and China's, faster than the U.S.'s GDP growth. [4:00] It's really exciting to be in California. [4:04] Diversity is our secret sauce. [4:05] It's what my husband and I stand for and represent and champion. [4:09] And so I guess in that regard, we're a threat to the GOP. [4:15] But right now we're focused on California and we're focused on saving our democracy because clearly we have an unhinged leader who is coming at his political enemies and trying to intimidate us all. [4:30] So fear, distrust and chaos. [4:33] And we have to right this ship, not just in our country, but for the world. [4:39] The world is looking at us going, what is going on in America right now or in the United States of America right now? [4:45] And they're extremely concerned and it's destabilizing. [4:48] And so we have an opportunity to right the ship again, not just in California, but across the country and save our democracy. [4:55] Jennifer, thank you so much for joining me this morning. [4:57] It is great to see you. [4:58] I appreciate your time. [4:59] Thank you.