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Sacramento – California Gov. Gavin Newsom – the outspoken champion of LGBTQ+ rights, where he was mayor of San Francisco, publicly criticised the “unfairness” of trans athletes taking part in women’s sports in a new podcast on Thursday.
The Democratic governor made his comment in an hour-long interview with conservative commentator Charlie Kirk, a loyal supporter of President Trump. The podcast explored the vulnerability of Democrats following Republicans’ control of the White House and Congress following the November election.
Newsom also distanced himself from several aspects of “Wokeness,” telling Kirk that no one in the governor’s office has ever used the comprehensive term “Latinx,” or that he has never started a meeting by sharing a pronoun of his preference.
From the beginning, the governor said his “This is Gavin Newsom” podcast will feature conversations with “some of the biggest leaders and architects of the MAGA movement.” The podcast shows the latest move in a series of publicity from governors looking to expand their audience nationwide, and is widely anticipated for the 2028 presidential contest. Newsom will release another podcast over the summer and release his third book later this year.
Kirk, who told Newsom he talks with Trump about twice a week, raised the issue of trans athletes as a major political vulnerability for Democrats, and told him it was one of many issues that he has no contact with most Americans. Newsom agreed to Kirk’s criticism.
“I’m perfectly in line with you because the issue of fairness is completely legal, and we have to own it. We have to admit it,” Newsom said.
A lawmaker for D-San Diego, chairman of California’s Legislative LGBTQ Caucus, said he was “deeply tired and frustrated” by Newsom’s remarks.
“This is a very rare situation, transgender, by the way, it’s enough enough to compete successfully in sports,” Ward said. “So, if this is what we want to focus on and spend 90% of our time, we’re losing sight of why people actually send us to Sacramento to tackle California’s biggest looming issue.”
In an interview, Kirk pointed out the San Jose state women’s volleyball team. This has recently been caught up in a controversy after current and former players and associate coaches attempted to remove trans players from the roster by filing a federal lawsuit. The judge later determined that players could compete.
Newsom criticized Republicans for trying to “weaponize” the issue of trans athletes.
“There’s also the humility and grace that these poor people are likely to commit suicide, anxiety and depression, and the way people talk to vulnerable communities is an issue I struggle with,” Newsom said.
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