In a stunning admission, California Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) agreed with Turning Point USA founder Charlie Kirk on the issue of fairness in sports during the inaugural episode of Newsom’s new podcast, “This is Gavin Newsom.”Â
The two discussed the contentious issue of trans-identifying athletes competing in women’s sports, with Newsom conceding that the practice raises serious questions about fairness, calling it “deeply unfair.”
However, Newsom struggled to fully align with Kirk’s calls for action on the matter.
Kirk confronted Newsom, asking, “Would you say no men in female sports?” to which the governor responded, “It is an issue of fairness. It is deeply unfair,” per The Post Millennial.
Despite agreeing on the core issue, Newsom seemed reluctant to take a firm stand against policies that allow trans-identifying athletes to compete in women’s sports, acknowledging that the situation is more complicated than it may appear.
Kirk pressed further, questioning whether Newsom would denounce AB Hernandez, a trans-identifying male athlete who won a California high school track meet by a staggering eight feet in the triple jump. Newsom reiterated his concern for fairness but also expressed empathy for trans-identifying individuals, noting the psychological challenges many face, including higher rates of suicide and anxiety.
“These poor people are more likely to commit suicide, have anxiety and depression,” Newsom said, emphasizing the importance of treating vulnerable communities with “humility and grace.”
As a father of two daughters, Newsom acknowledged the complexities of balancing empathy with the need for fairness in policies affecting women’s sports.
While admitting the issue was being weaponized by political opponents, Newsom stopped short of condemning those who have raised awareness of the disparities caused by the inclusion of trans-identifying athletes in women’s competitions. He also acknowledged the growing public sentiment against the practice, referencing a New York Times poll showing that 80 percent of Americans believe trans-identifying males should not compete in women’s sports.
Newsom’s stance on trans-identifying issues has remained consistent throughout his tenure as governor. He has signed numerous bills into law that advance the “trans” agenda in California, including legislation that bans school districts from requiring staff to notify parents when a child self-identifies as “trans,” according to National Review.
Prior to Newsom’s governorship, California already had laws in place that allowed trans-identifying students to use school restrooms that aligned with their “gender identity” and enabled men to compete in women’s college and youth sports.
This legislation, signed into law by former Gov. Jerry Brown in 2014, laid the foundation for current policies in the state.
Kirk criticized Democrats, pointing to the Protecting Women and Girls in Sports Act, which failed to advance in the U.S. Senate after all Senate Democrats voted against it.
“We’re getting crushed,” Newsom admitted, conceding that the issue is deeply dividing the public and could have serious electoral consequences for Democrats.
Despite this, Newsom urged a compassionate approach toward trans-identifying athletes but emphasized the importance of protecting the integrity of women’s sports.
The conversation then shifted to another contentious issue: parental rights and teacher confidentiality. Kirk criticized California laws that allow teachers to keep a student’s “trans” identity secret from their parents, arguing that such policies are harmful and overreaching.
“There should be a penalty measure, whether it be termination or whatever, if a teacher withholds information from a parent,” Kirk said.
Newsom responded by clarifying that current laws are intended to protect LGBT students, particularly those who may be at risk of rejection from their families, but did not commit to changing the law.
Kirk warned Newsom that these policies could alienate parents and damage the Democratic Party’s standing on these issues. As the conversation ended, both men acknowledged the deep divisions in the country over “trans” policies, with Newsom suggesting that Democrats must reconsider their approach to avoid further backlash.
