Newsom Breaks with Liberals on Men in Women’s Sports

California Governor Gavin Newsom has publicly criticized the inclusion of men in women’s sports calling it deeply unfair during a podcast with conservative Charlie Kirk. This stance marks a sharp departure from the prevailing views among California liberals who have long championed expansive LGBT rights. The comments aired on Newsom’s new show This Is Gavin Newsom where he tackled hot-button issues with the Turning Point USA founder drawing attention to a rift within his party.

Newsom’s remarks came as Kirk pressed him on men competing in female categories citing cases like a California high school track star dominating women’s events. The governor agreed that fairness in sports is a legitimate concern aligning with Kirk’s popular view that males have an edge over female competitors. He stopped short of naming specific athletes but emphasized the need to address the issue head-on rather than dodge it.

The podcast aired amid a national debate fueled by President Trump’s recent executive order banning men from women’s sports at federally funded schools. Newsom’s break from liberal orthodoxy stunned many in his base especially given his history as a San Francisco mayor who issued same-sex marriage licenses in 2004. Some see this as a calculated move to broaden his appeal ahead of a potential 2028 presidential run.

Critics within the Democratic Party quickly pushed back with Assemblymember Christopher Ward expressing frustration over Newsom’s focus on a rare issue. They argue it distracts from pressing state challenges like housing and wildfire recovery while betraying core values of inclusion. Supporters of Newsom’s stance say it reflects a growing public unease with policies that seem to favor ideology over practical fairness.

Kirk challenged Newsom as a father of daughters asking how he’d feel if they faced unfair competition a point that resonated with the governor. Newsom admitted he reveres sports and sees the fairness angle as undeniable drawing from his own college baseball days. This personal angle added weight to his critique suggesting a shift rooted in real-world experience not just politics.

The governor acknowledged the political cost Democrats have paid on this issue noting Trump’s campaign weaponized it effectively against Kamala Harris. He conceded that ads highlighting her support for transgender policies in prisons hurt her badly with voters a lesson he seems keen to learn. Newsom’s candor hints at a strategic pivot to reclaim ground lost in the culture wars.

Public opinion backs Newsom’s view with polls showing more than two-thirds of Americans favor barring men from female sports teams. This disconnect between elite liberal positions and mainstream sentiment has left Democrats vulnerable a fact Newsom appears to grasp. His willingness to engage Kirk signals an effort to bridge that gap and reclaim a commonsense mantle.

The fallout from Newsom’s comments could reshape California politics as liberals grapple with a leader straying from the fold. Some speculate he’s testing the waters for a centrist national bid while others warn it risks alienating his progressive base. Either way his break on this issue underscores a tension within the party that won’t fade soon.