California Governor Sparks Controversy Over Transgender Athletes in Sports

Sacramento, California – Governor Gavin Newsom broke ranks with fellow Democrats on March 6, 2025, by declaring it unfair for transgender athletes to compete in women’s sports during the launch of his new podcast. His remarks are poised to ignite significant discussion within the Democratic Party amidst a backdrop of increasing partisan tensions over culture wars.

In a conversation with Charlie Kirk, a prominent conservative commentator and ally of former President Donald Trump, Newsom addressed the issue of fairness in sports. “I think it’s an issue of fairness. I completely agree with you on that,” Newsom stated. His comments came in response to Kirk’s question, “Would you say no men in female sports?”

Despite the alignment on the fundamental issue, Newsom chose to sidestep specifics, such as the case of transgender athlete A.B. Hernandez, who recently dominated long jump and triple jump events in California. Newsom emphasized the need to protect vulnerable communities while acknowledging the complexities of the debate.

“There’s also humility and grace … that these poor people are more likely to commit suicide, have anxiety, and the way that people talk down to vulnerable communities is an issue that I have a hard time with as well,” Newsom added. He expressed a desire to approach the topic with decency and compassion.

As Newsom prepares a potential run for the presidency in 2028, he has shown a willingness to engage with conservative viewpoints and media outlets. In the initial episode of his podcast, he admitted that Democrats are currently outmatched in reach by figures like Trump and Elon Musk, describing the party as “toast.” His aim with the podcast is to connect with those on the opposing side and foster open dialogue.

Supporters within his own party may be surprised to find agreement on such a contentious issue, which has been leveraged by conservatives to critique Democrats. Newsom, a father of four, acknowledged the confusion among his peers regarding the issue, saying, “Even my own friend cohort … people say: What the hell is going on, why aren’t you calling this out?”

Public sentiment on the matter is shifting, with a recent Pew Research Center survey indicating that two-thirds of American adults support laws requiring transgender athletes to compete according to their birth sex. This growing consensus aligns with actions taken by Trump, who received applause for announcing an executive order banning men from women’s sports during his campaign.

The conversation between Newsom and Kirk reflects broader tensions within American politics, particularly regarding identity and representation. Kirk, regarded as a key figure in Trump’s circle, described the Democratic Party’s challenge in understanding voter sentiment, noting, “Now you have … the Democrats have a choice. You can say to those people, you’re racist, you’re Nazis, you’re fascists, or you can listen.”

As discussions surrounding the fairness of transgender athletes continue to unfold, Newsom is positioning himself as a moderate voice willing to embrace complex issues. “It’s a pattern, and the trans thing is just one of those things,” he said while acknowledging the uphill battle Democrats face moving forward.