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Gov. Gavin Newsom has a new podcast — and a new political firestorm.
In the first episode of “This is Gavin Newsom,” the governor hosted conservative commentator and MAGA activist Charlie Kirk. During their conversation, Newsom called transgender women’s participation in women’s sports “deeply unfair” and said Democrats were getting “crushed” on the issue.
“Newsom, who shared his own critiques of his party, spent more time agreeing with the right-wing figure and offering his appreciation for his perspective than debating their opposing views,” my colleagues Taryn Luna and Phil Willon reported. “The approach aligns with the governor’s recent retreat from his role during the election as a fighter for Democratic values and a top GOP critic as he seeks to maintain a respectful relationship with Trump.”
Newsom was met with a mix of praise and criticism, including from fellow state Democrats who accused the governor of abandoning a vulnerable minority group. Political analysts see Newsom’s latest deviation as another indication he plans to run for president in 2028.
President Trump shakes hands with Gov. Gavin Newsom at Los Angeles International Airport in January.
(Mandel Ngan / AFP via Getty Images)
What exactly did Newsom say?
Kirk brought up transgender athletes, arguing that it’s unfair for people born biologically male to compete against biological females and that Democrats’ stance on the issue is out of touch with most Americans.
Here’s the concise part of the exchange that followed (you can listen for yourself here):
Kirk: Would you say no men in female…