Jennifer Siebel Newsom criticizes Silicon Valley's power

Jennifer Siebel Newsom, the wife of California Governor Gavin Newsom, criticized Silicon Valley leaders on Monday. She accused them of creating a "tech oligarchy" that is unaccountable for protecting children on social media. Siebel Newsom spoke at the Common Sense Summit in San Francisco, calling for action against social media addiction. During a panel with Pinterest CEO Bill Ready, she expressed concern over the unchecked power of tech leaders. “There’s a tech oligarchy running our country right now that is unchecked,” she stated. Her comments reflect a growing sentiment among Democrats, including her husband, who are using the term “oligarchy” to describe the influence of billionaires in politics. The governor has recently highlighted how wealthy individuals are benefiting from tax cuts and federal program cuts linked to Donald Trump’s administration. Progressive figures like Senator Bernie Sanders and Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez have also been vocal against billionaires, rallying support across the country. Meanwhile, centrist Democrats, like Silicon Valley’s Representative Ro Khanna, are now joining the criticism. Khanna is currently promoting a “Benefits over Billionaires” tour to address the issues caused by billionaires and their influence on government. As these discussions continue, California lawmakers are looking at proposals to protect kids online, including warning labels for social media. Jim Steyer, head of Common Sense Media, noted the importance of holding tech executives accountable. He expressed hope that Governor Newsom would resist lobbying from tech companies and support stronger protections for children online.