Gov. Gavin Newsom (D-CA) came out against transgender athletes participating in women’s sports, a major departure from many in his party.
In the debut episode of his new podcast, “This is Gavin Newsom,” the California governor hosted conservative activist Charlie Kirk for a nearly 70-minute conversation. At one point, Kirk challenged Newsom to speak out against AB Hernandez, a biological male high school athlete who competed in the women’s triple jump and won by over eight feet.
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“I think it’s an issue of fairness. I completely agree with you on that. It is an issue of fairness — it’s deeply unfair,” Newsom said when asked if he was against biological men participating in women’s sports.
After Kirk suggested that Newsom appeared to be “wrestling” with the problem, the governor responded definitively on his stance.
“I am not wrestling with the fairness issue. I totally agree with you,” Newsom said, adding that he had a personal stake in the matter as someone with two daughters.
“I revere sports, so the issue of fairness is completely legit,” he added. “And I saw that — the last couple years, boy did I [see] how you guys were able to weaponize that issue at another level.”
After Kirk challenged his use of “weaponize,” Newsom backtracked to replace the word with “highlight.”
The governor concluded that Democrats should take a stand on the problem but that it should be handled with “decency” and compassion.
Despite his overtures, not everyone was won over.
“Wow. This is the first time I’ve seen Newsom directly asked this question. As you’d expect, he continues to sit on the fence,” former student-athlete Riley Gaines said in a post on X. “He admits the unfairness is a problem but won’t take meaningful action out of fear of being perceived as unkind…”
Newsom also agreed with conservatives on several other concerns, calling defunding the police “lunacy,” decrying “cancel culture,” taking issue with the term “Latinx,” and criticizing the Black Lives Matter organization.
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The conversation may be part of a wider posturing from Newsom, who will term out of the California governorship in 2026. He has been floated as a possible 2028 Democratic presidential contender.
While Newsom runs one of the most liberal states in the union, he has been no stranger to bipartisan moves in the past. Before the 2024 election cycle, when President Donald Trump debuted the nickname “Gavin Newscum,” the president and the governor were open about the friendly relationship they enjoyed during Trump’s first term.