California Gov. Gavin Newsom came under fire Thursday over comments he made about transient inclusion in women’s and girls sports in the debut episode of his podcast.
Newsom was asked by guest Charlie Kirk, a prominent conservative who founded the Turning Point USA, about the issue of “This Is Gavin Newsom” podcast.
“The young man who is winning the state championship in the long leap in female sports should not happen,” Kirk said. “You, as Governor, should go out and say no. Would you do something like that? Would you say no men in Female sports? “
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California Gov. Gavin Newsom speaks at a news conference in Sacramento, California, March 16, 2023. (AP Photo/Rich Pedroncelli)
“I think it’s a matter of justice. I totally agree with you about it. It’s a matter of justice – it’s deeply unfair,” Newsom told Kirk. “I don’t fight with the fairness question. I totally agree with you.”
Kirk also pressed the Newsom about whether he would condemn the recent victory for a transnry spor athlete with a more than 40 foot jump on the Jurupa Valley High School in southern California. Newsom did not directly treat the victory, but said “It’s a matter of justice.”
“So it’s easy to call the unfairness of it,” he said. “There is also a humility and a grace. … These poor people are more likely to commit suicide, have anxiety and depression. And the way people speak to vulnerable societies is a question that I also have difficulty with.
“So both things I can hold in my hand. How can we solve this problem with the kind of decency that I think you know is inherent in you, but not always expressed about the question?”
Newsom, which agreed with the question, was something the Democratic Party is “crushed”, faced criticism from conservatives and liberals for his comments.
While Newsom said he agreed with Kirk that there was a “fairness” problem when it came to trans -cluttering in women’s sports, California has resisted President Donald Trump’s “No men in women’s sports” executive order that bear biological men from girls and women’s sports.
President Donald Trump signs an executive order that blocks trans -cube female athletes from competing in women or girls sporting events in the eastern space of the White House February 5, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)
California Interscholastic Federation (CIF) said last month that it would continue to allow transking athletes to compete in women’s and girls sports, citing state law.
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“CIF gives students the opportunity to belong, connect and compete in educational -based experiences in accordance with California’s legislation [Education Code section 221.5. (f)] which allows students to participate in school programs and activities, including athletic teams and competitions that are in line with the student’s gender identity, regardless of gender listed on the student’s posts, “says a CIF declaration at that time.
Pakinomist Digital responded to CIF for its reaction to Newsom’s latest comments.
Riley Gaines, the former NCAA Athlet, who hosts Outkick’s “Gaines for Girls” podcast and has advanced fairness in women’s sports, was among the Conservatives who spoke out.
Prominent LGBTQ advocates also took swipes in Newsom.
“Gavin Newsom knows that the Trans Youth in Sports question is a ridiculous, right-wing propaganda effort. He knows this is driven by anti-trans-hatred, not reason,” wrote Charlotte Clymer on X. “and yet he still chose to approve attacks on Trans Youth to strengthen his national profile for a 2028 presidential driving.”
“He chose to treat Trans-Youth as a one-time negotiation chips in his efforts to pander to anti-trans-conservatives. He has decided that Trans-Youth, one of the most vulnerable groups in the country, is fair game. And he did it in an interview with Charlie Kirk who has used his career dehumanizing transfers to sports.
A demonstrator waves a trans pride flag during the rise of Trans Youth Rally against President Donald Trump’s executive actions aimed at trans -bright people at Union Square in New York 7 February 2025. (Stephanie Keith/Bloomberg via Getty Images)
California Assembly Member Chris Ward and Senator Caroline Menjivar also released a joint statement. They are chairman and Vice -President of California’s Legislative LGBTQ -Caucus.
“Sometimes Gavin Newsom goes to the profile of the courage, sometimes not. We woke up deeply ill and frustrated with these comments,” they said via KCRA TV. “All students deserve the academic and health benefits of sports activity, and until Donald Trump began to occupy it, it has not been a problem since the standard was adopted in 2013.”
Earlier this week, the Senates Democrats blocked the protection of women and girls in the sports law against breaking a filibuster. The bill received 51 votes but needed 60 to clear a procedural obstacle.
