Jennifer Siebel Newsom Touts New Gender Documentary as Husband Uses Loophole to Fund Her Causes

The wife of California Governor Gavin Newsom promotes her latest film on tech-facilitated sexism, as questions swirl over his use of 'behested payments' to steer millions to her nonprofit.

Mar. 11, 2026 at 6:56pm

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

Jennifer Siebel Newsom, the wife of California Governor Gavin Newsom, has touted her upcoming documentary film 'Miss Representation: Rise Up,' which explores issues of tech-facilitated violence and sexism. However, this comes as The Post has revealed that Newsom has used a loophole known as 'behested payments' to steer millions of dollars from donors to Siebel Newsom's other nonprofit, the California Partners Project, raising questions about potential conflicts of interest.

Why it matters

This case highlights the blurring of lines between the Newsom family's personal and official dealings, as the governor appears to be leveraging his position to financially support his wife's activist causes. There are concerns about transparency and accountability for how taxpayer dollars are being spent to potentially enrich the governor and his wife.

The details

Siebel Newsom's new documentary film 'Miss Representation: Rise Up' is said to explore issues of tech-facilitated violence and sexism. Meanwhile, The Post's reporting has revealed that Newsom has used a loophole known as 'behested payments' to steer $4.4 million from donors such as Silicon Valley Bank, the Pritzker family, and Blue Shield of California Foundation to Siebel Newsom's other nonprofit, the California Partners Project. Some of these donors have also benefited from decisions Newsom has made as governor, such as a no-bid contract awarded to Blue Shield during the pandemic.

  • On March 11, 2026, Jennifer Siebel Newsom shared an Instagram post about previewing a segment of her upcoming documentary 'Miss Representation: Rise Up'.
  • The Post's reporting on Newsom's use of 'behested payments' to fund Siebel Newsom's nonprofit was published in 2026.

The players

Jennifer Siebel Newsom

The wife of California Governor Gavin Newsom and a documentary filmmaker who has produced films exploring themes of gender and feminism.

Gavin Newsom

The current Governor of California, who has been accused of using a loophole known as 'behested payments' to steer millions of dollars from donors to his wife's nonprofit organization.

The Representation Project

A nonprofit organization founded by Jennifer Siebel Newsom that produces gender-focused documentary films and educational curricula.

California Partners Project

A nonprofit organization founded by Jennifer Siebel Newsom that focuses on issues of gender equity and representation.

Caitlin Sutherland

The executive director of Americans for Public Trust, an organization that has criticized the Newsoms' apparent conflicts of interest.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“Given the Newsoms' pattern of intertwining personal and official dealings, it's no surprise Jennifer Siebel Newsom's nonprofit is under fire for apparent conflicts of interest.”

— Caitlin Sutherland, Executive Director, Americans for Public Trust

“The Newsoms continue to launder their progressive ideas through their various nonprofit associations and in turn use the Governor's Office as a conduit for supplementary income. Taxpayers deserve accountability and transparency for how their dollars are being spent to enrich the governor and his wife.”

— Caitlin Sutherland, Executive Director, Americans for Public Trust

What’s next

The public and watchdog groups will likely continue to scrutinize the Newsoms' use of 'behested payments' and the potential conflicts of interest between the governor's office and his wife's nonprofit organizations.

The takeaway

This case highlights the need for greater transparency and accountability around how elected officials and their family members leverage public resources and influence to support their personal and political agendas, even if through legal loopholes.