Gov. Gavin Newsom (D-CA) posted on X Thursday for his wife Jennifer Siebel Newsom’s birthday, calling her the “First Partner of California,” which immediately drew criticism from conservatives confused over the phrasing.
The post featured a picture of Newsom’s wife with her head on his shoulder and a caption about what an amazing mother she is.
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“I hope your day is just as remarkable as the work that you’ve done for California’s women and kids,” Newsom wrote.
“First Partner” is also Siebel Newsom’s description on her X account.
Notable figures such as Riley Gaines and Sage Steele joined the list of those who opposed the phrase.
“I can’t even fathom my husband unironically calling me his partner ????,” Gaines, soon to be a mother herself, wrote on X.
Steele, a conservative commentator and television personality, replied to Gaines’s post with her own thoughts about the relationship.
”’The First Partner’???? So forced. So fake,” Steele wrote.
Some X users pointed out that the post called Siebel Newsom a mother but did not refer to her as the first lady of California.
“Erasing women and marriage one word at a time,” one user wrote in the comments.
Other users also posted pictures of President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump together to show the difference.
“In case you were wondering, this is a husband and a wife; a @POTUS and @FLOTUS,” one user said.
Users also mentioned the other uses of the term “partner” and their detachment from emotional connection.
“‘Partner’? — Is she a cowboy, trans or a business partner?” one user asked in the comments.
Others went straight for Newsom, saying they would rather do anything than be married to the governor.
“Gawd can you imagine being married to Gavin Newsom? I’d rather gouge my eyes out with a hot fireplace poker,” one user wrote in the comments.
Siebel Newsom also uses the term “First Partner” in her bio on the California governor’s website.
“Jennifer Siebel Newsom chose the title First Partner, as opposed to the traditional title of First Lady, to send a signal of inclusivity, recognizing that one day there will be a woman or LGBTQ+ Governor of California,” the website reads, “and to elevate the importance of partnership and the need for, and benefits of, a caring, inclusive government.”
The post mentions Siebel Newsom’s work for California women and children. Under Newsom, the state has ramped up transgender athlete initiatives, allowing biological men to compete and compelling women to continue to participate.
DEMOCRATS WANT TO GET ARRESTED
The California governor and Siebel Newsom, a documentary filmmaker and former Republican, have been the subject of allegations of infidelity. The comments on Newsom’s X post reflected the lasting effect these rumors have had on the perception of their marriage.