Gavin Newsom's Wife Pushed Gender Films Into California Schools

Jennifer Siebel Newsom leveraged her husband's political influence to promote her documentaries in classrooms

Published on Mar. 9, 2026

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California Governor Gavin Newsom's wife, Jennifer Siebel Newsom, is a filmmaker whose documentaries about gender and masculinity have been widely shown in the state's public schools. Siebel Newsom's nonprofit, The Representation Project, has licensed her films to over 5,000 schools across 50 states, reaching 2.8 million students. The films, which feature Newsom as a talking head, have been recommended by the state's Department of Education and promoted through the First Partner's Office, raising concerns about political influence and the quality of education.

Why it matters

This case highlights concerns about the blurring of lines between political influence, education policy, and the promotion of partisan agendas in public schools. Critics argue that Siebel Newsom's films push a progressive ideology and distract from core academic subjects, contributing to declining literacy and math proficiency among California students.

The details

Siebel Newsom's documentaries, such as 'Miss Representation' and 'The Great American Lie,' feature her husband Gavin Newsom as a prominent talking head and promote themes of 'toxic masculinity' and gender inequity. The Representation Project, Siebel Newsom's nonprofit, has licensed these films to schools and charged fees ranging from $49 to $1,500. The California Department of Education has recommended Siebel Newsom's films in official state guidance, and the First Partner's Office has worked to push 'social-emotional learning' initiatives that include her films. Critics argue this represents an inappropriate use of political influence to promote a partisan agenda in public schools.

  • In 2019, shortly after Gavin Newsom became governor, the California Board of Education recommended Siebel Newsom's films in controversial health education guidance.
  • In 2020, the California Department of Education worked with the First Partner's Office to push 'social-emotional learning' initiatives that included recommendations for Siebel Newsom's films.

The players

Jennifer Siebel Newsom

The wife of California Governor Gavin Newsom and a filmmaker whose documentaries about gender and masculinity have been widely shown in California public schools.

Gavin Newsom

The Governor of California and Jennifer Siebel Newsom's husband, who has been featured as a talking head in her films.

The Representation Project

A nonprofit organization founded by Jennifer Siebel Newsom that licenses her gender-focused documentaries to schools, universities, and corporations.

California Department of Education

The state agency that has recommended Jennifer Siebel Newsom's films in official guidance and worked with the First Partner's Office to promote them in schools.

California First Partner's Office

The office of the California First Partner, which has worked to promote Jennifer Siebel Newsom's films and 'social-emotional learning' initiatives in the state's public schools.

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What they’re saying

“This is a very clear attempt to indoctrinate the next generation of Californians. It's a lot easier to control an uneducated group.”

— Assemblymember David Tangipa (nypost.com)

“We've seen literacy rates at the lowest that we've ever had in the state. And we've seen math rates at the lowest we've ever had in the state.”

— Assemblymember David Tangipa (nypost.com)

What’s next

The California legislature is expected to hold hearings on the use of Siebel Newsom's films in public schools and the broader concerns about declining academic performance.

The takeaway

This case highlights the potential risks of political influence in education policy and the need for greater transparency and accountability around the use of partisan or ideologically-driven materials in public schools. It raises questions about the appropriate role of the governor's family in shaping the curriculum and learning environment for California students.