California Governor Gavin Newsom has adopted a more controlled public communication strategy, increasingly relying on pre-recorded videos and avoiding traditional press conferences since announcing that he and his wife, First Partner Jennifer Siebel Newsom, are under FBI investigation. The shift away from his typically accessible public engagements has drawn attention and raised questions about his approach to public appearances.
Newsom disclosed the Justice Department investigations on June 15 in a video released on social media. He characterized the probe, which reportedly involves Siebel Newsom's taxes, as a politically motivated "fishing expedition" by the Trump administration. Since that announcement, Newsom has not provided further details on the federal investigation or its connection to his former chief of staff, Dana Williamson, who is scheduled to be sentenced in September after pleading guilty to corruption charges.
Experts note that while many politicians utilize digital media for message control, Newsom's current strategy is particularly pronounced. "Newsom certainly isn’t the only politician to use digital media to establish absolute message control," said Dan Schnur, a professor of political communications at USC and UC Berkeley. "But he may be one of the most aggressive officeholders in the way he uses these tools."
Instead of engaging with reporters in open forums, Newsom's recent public communications have primarily consisted of highly produced videos. On Independence Day, he released an eight-minute video from the Governor's Mansion that featured multiple camera angles and cinematic lighting. In the address, Newsom focused on criticizing President Trump, calling him "corrupt and unstable" and accusing him of undermining democracy. The video, which had comments disabled on YouTube, did not include an audience or opportunities for questions.
Earlier, Newsom appeared in another self-produced video touring a film set to promote California's film and television tax credit program. This approach marks a departure for a governor who previously held frequent media availabilities on a range of issues, from state policy to political clashes.
Schnur suggested that Newsom's dual role as governor and a potential presidential candidate influences his communication choices. "Sitting governors can do this because they know a video that they post online will get news coverage and public attention. Presidential candidates don’t have that luxury. They have to engage with voters and reporters," he stated. Newsom's office did not respond to requests for comment regarding whether the reduction in live press appearances was intentional or influenced by the federal investigation.
"It may be that Newsom is hoping that these stories will become old news by the time reporters get another crack at them," Schnur added.