Gavin Newsom is definitely running for President. Why else would he take time to start running a podcast, have as his first guest Charlie Kirk, and then take on the issue of transgender men in women’s sports?

California Gov. Gavin Newsom, a pioneer for LGBTQ+ rights who decades ago upset leaders in his own party when he defied state law and issued marriage licenses to same-sex couples, suggested Democrats were in the wrong in allowing transgender athletes to participate in female college and youth sports.

“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,” Newsom said in his debut podcast episode of “This is Gavin Newsom.” “I am not wrestling with the fairness issue. I totally agree with you.”

As he noted during the podcast, one of the most successful Trump campaign ads was this one. 

Watching Monday Night Football and saw this Trump campaign ad about Kamala Harris’s support for taxpayer funded sex change surgeries for inmates and illegal immigrants (all factual!). Strong ad choice for the football watching demographic pic.twitter.com/clerV6ndM6

— Peter J. Hasson (@peterjhasson) October 1, 2024

As Newsom correctly pointed out, that ad was devastating for the Harris campaign. Particularly in light of the fact that she nor the campaign ever responded to it. Furthermore, it resonated across the country at a time when schools and colleges were not only allowing men to compete in women’s sports, many were also shutting down and/or firing people who dared to push back and say this was morally wrong on every level! 

Not only that, but there is a Maine legislator, State Rep Laurel Libby, who was censured and isn’t allowed to speak during the session BECAUSE of her defense of women and girls in sports and schools. 

But here’s Gavin, now telling us it’s deeply unfair to have men in women’s sports. 

“I am not wrestling with the fairness issue. I totally agree with you,” Newsom said, adding that he had a personal stake in the matter as someone with two daughters.

“I revere sports, so the issue of fairness is completely legit,” he added. “And I saw that — the last couple years, boy did I [see] how you guys were able to weaponize that issue at another level.”

After Kirk challenged his use of “weaponize,” Newsom backtracked to replace the word with “highlight.”

The governor concluded that Democrats should take a stand on the problem but that it should be handled with “decency” and compassion.

Before anyone starts madly applauding here, look at his careful use of language. Gavin Newsom didn’t come out and definitively say boys and men should not be allowed in women’s sports. Instead he threw out the buzzwords of “decency,” “compassion,” and “unfairness.” In other words, as Riley Gaines points out, he straddled the fence. 

Wow. This is the first time I’ve seen Newsom directly asked this question. As you'd expect, he continues to sit on the fence.

He admits the unfairness is a problem but won't take meaningful action out of fear of being perceived as unkind… https://t.co/ZqgLS4aEdL

— Riley Gaines (@Riley_Gaines_) March 6, 2025

What he was doing was trying to appease a major section of his current constituency while also attempting to sound rational and moderate on an issue that a majority of Americans believe strongly about. He knows the majority doesn’t want their girls and women physically and mentally harmed by being forced to accept males in their locker rooms and on the sports field. But he ALSO knows that he needs to appease his rabidly progressive base. Hence the fence straddling. 

Except, in Scott Weiner’s case, it didn’t work. 

NEW: California State Senator Scott Weiner slams @GavinNewsom for agreeing with @charliekirk11 that it is “unfair” for trans people born male to participate in female sports.

Key phrase: “Charlie Kirk is a vile bigot, and standing with him on this issue is profoundly…

— Elex Michaelson (@Elex_Michaelson) March 6, 2025

According to Scott, Republicans and American parents who want to protect their children are desperately attempting to erase transgender men permanently. And so, for Gavin to accurately state that transgender men in women’s sports is “deeply unfair” that, according to Scott, means Gavin has chosen poorly. 

Keep in mind, not one single Democrat in the U.S. House voted to protect girls and women. And their excuses ring hollow on all levels. 

John, the fully grown 6’4, 22 year old man in Pennsylvania that undressed in my locker room EIGHTEEN times per WEEK was not a “schoolchild”

He was a predator.

And no woman should ever experience this. Not even once. https://t.co/9oLZXOyh9h

— Paula Scanlan (@PaulaYScanlan) March 4, 2025

And now this from Hakeem Jeffries makes absolutely no sense whatsoever. 

Reporter: Gavin Newsom said Democrats were in the wrong by allowing men to play women’s sports. What’s your response?

Jeffries: “What Democrats opposed was unleashing sexual predators on girls throughout the United States.” 🧐 pic.twitter.com/kRMQhP3Y5q

— Greg Price (@greg_price11) March 6, 2025

Except that we are finding out time and again that a significant number of transgender men are sexual predators and are putting our girls and women in danger. I’m not even sure what that spin was, but it was off the rails before it even started. 

Just a few days ago, Gavin pulled a Republican move by allowing dead brush to be cleared to mitigate fire hazards. And now he’s on record as saying transgender men in women’s sports is “deeply unfair.” 

Charlie Kirk tells California Gov. Gavin Newsom to say "no men in female sports."

Newsom: "I think it's an issue of fairness, I completely agree with on that."pic.twitter.com/0iQieYJF1C

— The American Conservative (@amconmag) March 6, 2025

He’s definitely running for President, and this is just a part of his playbook. Be mindful, as what we are seeing is NOT what we’d get should he win in 2028. 

The fact is, he should’ve taken it one step further and flat out said, it is WRONG for transgender boys/men to be in girls/women’s sports. He didn’t, and he won’t. 

Feature Photo Credit: “Gavin Newsom” by Thomas Hawk is licensed under CC BY-NC 2.0.