In a break from his party’s official platform, California governor Gavin Newsom stated he believes that transgender women, men who identify as women, playing against biological women in sports is “deeply unfair.” Newsom made the comments during the premiere episode of his new podcast, “This Is Gavin Newsom” to guest conservative commentator Charlie Kirk. Kirk, who has openly pushed back against men in women’s sports, challenged the Democrat party’s support of transgender athletes. “You right now should come out and be like, ‘You know what, the young man who’s about to win the state championship in the long jump in female sports, that shouldn’t happen,’” he said. Kirk referred to the recent incident of trans athlete A.B. Hernandez, who won a high school girls’ triple jump by eight feet. “I think it’s an issue of fairness. I completely agree with you,” said Newsom.

It’s a shift for Newsom, who has been adamant in his support for transgender rights. Yet it’s an issue that more and more Americans are shifting against, including voters who identify as Democrat. According to a Pew Research Center poll, 66% of Americans support requiring trans athletes to compete on teams that match their biological sex. 56% support banning medical interventions of gender transitions for minors. Another New York Times  poll showed that 79% of Americans believe transgender athletes should not play women’s sports. More surprising, 67% of Democrats felt the same way.

It’s an issue that, in the light of the 2024 election, some Democrats believe is hurting them with the general public. During his first State of the Union speech for his second term, President Trump leaned into the issue, inviting Payton McNabb to attend. McNabb experienced a concussion, brain bleed, and permanent whiplash after being spiked in the face by a trans athlete. Newsom noted how the issue had impacted Harris’s failed campaign, referring to an ad that targeted Harris’s support of paying for so-called “gender-affirming care” for detained migrants. “She didn’t even react to it, which was even more devastating,” he said. “This was even more challenging because it’s issues of people who are incarcerated … illegal, incarcerated individuals getting taxpayer-funded, gender reassignment surgery. That is a 90/10, not an 80/20.”

Despite the apparent public shift on the issue, Newsom faced rebukes from queer advocates. Equality California Executive Director Tony Hoang released a statement condemning Newsom. “We are profoundly disappointed and angered by Governor Newsom’s comments about transgender youth and their ability to participate in sports. Transgender kids—like all kids—deserve the chance to play sports alongside their teammates and learn important values like leadership, teamwork, and sportsmanship. Transgender young people deserve to be treated with dignity and respect,” the statement read. Others saw Newsom’s shift as nothing more than a political ploy for a potential presidential run in 2028. “This is stunning,” wrote Republican Assemblymember Bill Essayli, of Corona on X. “Talk is cheap @GavinNewsom. Why don’t you support my bill AB 844 to reverse CA’s law allowing boys to compete in girls sports? You’re the Governor, not a commentator!”