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Charlie Kirk joined California Governor Gavin Newsom for the debut episode of Newsom’s new podcast, This is Gavin Newsom. During their discussion, Kirk challenged the Democratic governor on California’s policies allowing biological males to compete in women’s sports.
“Would you say no men in female sports?” Kirk pressed.
Newsom acknowledged the controversy, stating, “It is an issue of fairness, I completely agree with you on that. It is deeply unfair
Kirk then pressed Newsom on whether he would take a stand against AB Hernandez, a trans-identified male high school athlete in California who dominated a track meet, winning the triple jump by an astonishing eight feet. I see you wrestling with that,” Kirk remarked.
Newsom, clarifying, “No, I’m not wrestling with the fairness issue—I totally agree with you. As someone with four kids, two of whom are daughters, I revere sports, and the issue of fairness is completely legitimate. And over the last couple of years, I’ve seen how you guys have been able to weaponize that
Kirk say, arguing that the issue wasn’t being “weaponized” but rather reflected the views of most Americans.
Newsom acknowledged the point, saying, “Weaponized may be pejorative, you’re right. But you were able to highlight it in a way that, frankly, there aren’t that many cases—we’re talking about, I think, the NCAA has what, 510,000 athletes overall? I just didn’t realize”
Kirk interrupted, correcting him, “It’s 890 medals and trophies that we know of in the last five years that were won by transgender athletes in women’s competition. That’s a lot
During their discussion, Newsom acknowledged the fairness concerns surrounding transgender athletes in women’s sports, stating he agreed with Kirk’s points. However, he also emphasized the need for “humility and grace,” pointing out the mental health struggles faced by transgender individuals. He admitted that Democrats are “getting crushed” on this issue and noted that a law passed in 2014, before his tenure as governor, allowed transgender athletes to compete in women’s sports.
Kirk say that this was an “80/20 issue,” with most Americans opposing trans-identified males in female sports. He criticized Democrats for voting against the Protecting Women and Girls in Sports Act and accused them of viewing issues through an “oppressor-oppressed” lens rather than right or wrong. Newsom acknowledged the political challenge, referencing a controversial 2024 election ad and calling it “devastating.”
The conversation also touched on California laws allowing teachers to withhold a student’s transgender identity from parents. Kirk pushed back, arguing that teachers who hide such information should be held accountable. He warned that Democrats would continue to lose on these issues if they failed to address public concerns.