# Newsom calls biological men in women's sports 'deeply unfair' on governor's new podcast with conservative activist

Newsom's podcast is an attempt to 'reframe' his political presence amid rumors he may run for president in 2028

California Democratic  put distance between himself and his party, and found common ground with influential conservative activist and commentator Charlie Kirk, when the term-limited governor and possible 2028 presidential contender agreed that biological men in women's sports is "deeply unfair."

"The young man who's about to win the state championship in the long jump in female sports, that shouldn't happen," Kirk said California on Newsom's debut episode on his new podcast, "This is Gavin Newsom."

## Transcript



Turning Point USA leader Charlie Kirk, right, is the guest on California Gov. Gavin Newsom's inaugural edition of his "This is Gavin Newsom" podcast.

Kirk further pressed Newsom on whether he would condemn the recent victory of a transgender  with a more than 40-foot jump at Jurupa Valley High School in Southern California.

Newsom — who has long backed LGBTQ causes and who was ahead of many in his party when, two decades ago, as San Francisco mayor, he defied existing state laws and issued marriage licenses to same-sex couples — didn't directly address the win, but said "it's a fairness issue."

The student, AB Hernandez, won an invitational meet on Feb. 22, booting out a female runner-up who had jumped just over 32 feet in their competition category. Hernandez also took first place in two other events at the meet.

"So that's easy to call out the unfairness of that," Newsom, a  torchbearer, said. "There's also a humility and a grace… these poor people are more likely to commit suicide, have anxiety and depression, and the way that people talk down to vulnerable communities is an issue that I have a hard time with as well."

"This is a good presentation," Newsom said.

And pointing to Kirk's efforts on the campaign trail, he emphasized the right was "able to weaponize that issue at another level."





Newsom admitted to Kirk that trans women playing in women's sports is "deeply unfair."

Screenshots/This is Gavin Newsom

Newsom isn't the first Democratic Party politician in the wake of last November's election setbacks to soften their stance on the lighting rod issue. Rep. Seth Moulton of Massachusetts made headlines and stirred controversy with similar comments late last year. But Newsom is the most high-profile Democrat, to date, to speak out.

Some Golden State leaders from the left and the right were critical of the governor's comments.

The California Legislative LGBTQ Caucus, in a statement on social media, charged that "sometimes Gavin Newsom goes for the Profile in Courage, sometimes not. We woke up profoundly sickened and frustrated by these remarks. All students deserve the academic and health benefits of sports activity, and until Donald Trump began obsessing about it, playing on a team consistent with one’s gender has not been a problem since the standard was passed in 2013."



Fox News' Sean Hannity, center, moderated the groundbreaking debate between Democratic California Gov. Gavin Newsom, left, and Republican Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis.

Newsom's conversation with the often-controversial Kirk isn't the first time he's mixed it up with a high-profile Republican.

He's been an occasional guest of Fox News' primetime host Sean Hannity, and he debated Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis on ‘Hannity’ in 2023, as the 2024 presidential race was heating up.

_Fox News' Lee Ross contributed to this report._

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