California’s “first partner,” Jennifer Siebel Newsom, criticized President Donald Trump following her controversial interview on “60 Minutes.” She condemned Trump’s “verbal power” and his apparent disrespect towards female journalists.
The interview featured a heated moment between Trump and Norah O’Donnell, who posed a question about the shooter from the recent White House Correspondents’ Dinner. Trump responded by labeling O’Donnell “disgraceful.”
This exchange occurred after O’Donnell shared excerpts from the shooter’s manifesto, which referred to Trump in derogatory terms, including “rapist” and “traitor.” She recounted her experience in a conversation with Trump.
In a pointed post on social media, Siebel Newsom expressed shock over how Trump treated female journalists, highlighting this as part of a troubling pattern. “It’s unsettling to see a president communicate with such disdain, especially when facts seem to evade him,” she wrote. “Like, it’s really disappointing, yet somehow not surprising.”
Siebel Newsom elaborated on how this kind of disrespect from a leader can influence societal norms, impacting how boys and men perceive women and their roles.
In the aftermath of Trump’s interview on Sunday, the shooter, identified as Cole Allen from Torrance, California, had a manifesto that echoed anti-Trump sentiments. During the interview, O’Donnell read excerpts which prompted Trump to defend his character vehemently, claiming he is innocent of all accusations made in the document.
Trump responded defensively to O’Donnell, asserting he was not the person described in the manifesto, while continuing his criticisms of her, repeatedly calling her a “disgrace.”
Siebel Newsom’s remarks on the incident drew significant online attention. She emphasized that Trump’s culture of misogyny affects society as a whole and must be addressed. “When leaders display such behavior, we see these attitudes rise in everyday life. It normalizes aggression and domination against women,” she noted.
On the conservative side, support for Trump was evident. Some commentators defended him, focusing instead on perceived biases from media figures like O’Donnell. Critics claimed this kind of coverage is damaging, arguing that it elevates the words of those with violent intentions unjustly.
Newt Gingrich weighed in, criticizing O’Donnell’s approach and suggesting she should be held accountable for her actions. “She’s disrespected an entire profession,” Gingrich stated, calling for her to be fired for what he described as her irresponsible conduct.
