But taking Newsom’s comments at face value is a big mistake, David Closson, director of Family Research Council’s Center for Biblical Worldview, said on Washington Watch Friday. The wiser approach, Closson told show host Jody Hice, is to consider Newsom’s long-range political aspirations.
Newsom made a splash in the debut episode of his new podcast “This is Gavin Newsom” in which he plans to interview political figures who disagree with him on major news issues of the day. In a conversation with well-known conservative Charlie Kirk, the founder and CEO of Turning Point USA, Newsom said it was “deeply unfair” that boys compete in girls’ sports.
That conversation took place days after a California male teen won the girls’ triple jump and long jump track meet events by embarrassingly wide margins.
“I think it’s an issue of fairness. I completely agree with you on that. It is an issue of fairness. It’s deeply unfair,” the governor told Kirk. “I’m not wrestling with the fairness issue. I totally agree with you.”
This is the same Gavin Newsom who has a history of support for transgender causes going back to marrying same-sex couples as mayor of San Francisco in 2004.
He went on to note in the podcast that California passed a law in 2013 that allowed students to use bathrooms and participate on sports teams based on their chosen gender identity. Newsom was lieutenant governor under another Democrat, Jerry Brown, then.
Newsom, a former baseball player, said “I revere sports, and so the issue of fairness is completely legit.”
Come again, governor?
California transgender advocates felt betrayed.
“In this moment of crisis, they need leaders who will unequivocally fight for them. Instead of standing strong, the governor has added to the heartbreak and fear caused by the relentless barrage of hate from the Trump administration,” said Tony Hoang, executive director of Equality California.
Closson suggests those trans advocates should take a deep breath and look at the big picture. “Gavin Newsom wants to be president," he stated. "Remember in late 2027 or early 2028, whenever the announcement comes, that you heard it here first: Gavin Newsom wants to be president.”
Therefore, a more centrist approach to what data says is a losing issue for Democrats is a matter of expedience for Newsom, Closson explained. “You don't get to represent the largest state in our union by being politically naïve. So he is savvy, but it is so disingenuous.”
Closson estimates that Americans oppose boys in girls’ sports by an 80-20 split.
“Most Americans are coming out against transgenderism in sports and [against] minor children getting these procedures. Gavin Newsom wants to be president, and he recognizes the tide is turning. If he really believes this is unfair, let’s see if the governor will exercise some leadership on this issue there in Sacramento.”
Left remains committed to trans movement
As the FRC center director pointed out, pro-family leadership hasn’t been Newsom’s MO.
“Gavin Newsom has been the tip of the spear for the Left in the culture wars,” Closson said. “He signed legislation [in 2022] that basically made California a Sanctuary State for minor children who identify as transgender.”
As such, state law would prohibit other states’ officials from rescuing minors who had arrived in California seeking gender-manipulation care and procedures.
“The fact that he’s making these comments shows that he recognizes that the culture is changing,” Closson said.
But Newsom’s party either fails to recognize this change or chooses to ignore it.
“The Left in this country, to their own political detriment, is committed to the success of the LGBT movement. I really do think it’s going to take the Left losing a couple more elections for them to actually change their position. Their base is committed to this at least for the foreseeable future,” Closson said.
