'Do you mind pausing?' CNN host shuts down MAGA guest smearing Gavin Newsom's wife

CNN's Audie Cornish cut off a MAGA guest for airing unverified allegations against Jennifer Siebel Newsom, the wife of California's governor.

Gov. Gavin Newsom announced Monday that he and his wife were under federal investigation and accused President Donald Trump of weaponizing the Justice Department against his family for political reasons, and Penny Young Nance, president and CEO of Concerned Women for America, took delight in the news and suggested the California Democrat did, as well.

"He is loving this, by theway," Nance said. "It makes him moreinteresting, it brings him backinto the news. He's having agreat day today. But the truthis what this started under Joe Biden. This wholeinvestigation started, but thetiming is really good for Gavin Newsom to announce it right now, and the issue is $3.7 millionthat went into the coffers ofthe Rep Project, which isa Jennifer Newsom project. Bythe way, I full disclosure,served on a board with her."

Nance seemed to be commenting on unverified claims circulating on social media that Newsom and his wife had pocketed $3.7 million from the nonprofit Representation Project, which is dedicated to fighting gender stereotypes, but Cornish interrupted and asked her to stop.

"Do you mind pausing?" Cornish said. "Becausewe don't have confirmation andI do not know if this is trueright now, because we literallyare not hearing anything. Idon't want to be talking about Newsom's wife as though she hascommitted crimes. When we havenot heard this, and I want tounderstand, though, why Newsomwould come out ahead of aninvestigation to talk about it."

Democratic strategist Chuck Rocha offered an explanation.

"Presidential politics areabout two things: It's aboutmoney and votes, and he'sworking on both right now," Rocha said. "Hewants to get out and try to makehimself be a victim. We've seenpoliticians, some of which maybe in the White House, alwayswant to be the victim of pressor whatever investigation may behappening, and Newsom ispositioning himself politicallyto do that, and as a consultant,it's a chef's kiss, is whatthis is, a chef's kiss ofgetting ahead of it on camerawith the flags behind him. I'msurprised he hasn't run away toanother country saying, I'mgoing to go into exile until Donald Trump leaves me alone and tweet it out."

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