California Governor Gavin Newsom is facing intense backlash from all sides after admitting transgender athletes in women’s sports is “unfair.” The Democratic Governor, who is facing yet another recall election in California, is obviously trying to woo Republicans – but he just lost the support of most of his party in doing so.
At a Glance
- Gavin Newsom launched a new podcast and agreed with conservative Charlie Kirk that trans athletes in women’s sports is “deeply unfair”
- Newsom admitted Democrats are “getting crushed” on the transgender athlete issue with voters
- LGBTQ advocates and fellow Democrats condemned Newsom’s comments as a “gut punch” and betrayal
- Conservatives criticized Newsom for political maneuvering without backing substantive policy changes
- California has resisted Trump’s Executive Order barring biological males from female sports competitions
Newsom Admits Transgender Athletes In Women’s Sports Is “Deeply Unfair”
During the debut episode of his new podcast “This is Gavin Newsom,” the California Governor made the startling admission while speaking with Charlie Kirk, founder of conservative organization Turning Point USA. When Kirk pressed Newsom about transgender athletes competing in women’s sports, the Governor readily agreed it presented fairness issues.
“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. I am not wrestling with the fairness issue. I totally agree with you,” Newsom told Kirk.
From a man who said parents should accept that their kids are taught about LGBTQIA issues in school? It’s real hard to believe he actually believes that. Nonetheless, his comments represent a significant departure from progressive Democratic orthodoxy on transgender issues.
Democrats “Getting Crushed” With Voters On Transgender Issue
Perhaps most telling was Newsom’s candid assessment of how the transgender athlete issue is affecting Democrats politically. In a frank admission that will likely alarm party leaders, Newsom acknowledged Democrats are hemorrhaging support because of their stance on this controversial topic.
“We’re getting crushed on it. Crushed. Crushed,” Gavin Newsom said.
So it’s not about what’s true, it’s about losing. Got it.
The admission comes after Senate Democrats recently blocked the Protection of Women and Girls in Sports Act from advancing – legislation that would have prohibited schools that receive federal funding from allowing male-born athletes to participate in women’s sports. Newsom’s state of California has actively resisted Trump’s Executive Order that barred biological males from competing in female sports.
LGBTQ Advocates Furious At Newsom’s Comments
The Governor’s remarks sparked immediate outrage from LGBTQ activists and allied politicians, many of whom viewed his statements as a shocking betrayal from a longtime supporter. State Senator Scott Wiener was particularly vocal in his condemnation of Newsom’s unexpected position shift.
“It was a gut punch from any Democratic leader, and particularly from Governor Newsom, because he has been such a staunch ally for the LGBTQ community,” Scott Wiener said.
Prominent LGBTQ advocate Charlotte Clymer accused Newsom of political calculation, suggesting the Governor was positioning himself for a future presidential run. “Gavin Newsom knows that the trans youth in sports issue is a ridiculous, rightwing propaganda effort. He knows this is powered by anti-trans hatred, not reason. And yet, he still chose to endorse attacks on trans youth to bolster his national profile for a 2028 presidential run,” Clymer stated.
We better keep an eye on this guy. He’s no friend of Republicans, but he sure wants the regular voter to think he is. Imagine how scary a Newsom presidency would be.
