Halle Berry bashes Gov. Gavin Newsom at NYT summit just before he takes stage: ‘Should not be our next president either’
Academy Award-winning actress Halle Berry took aim at California Governor Gavin Newsom on Wednesday, criticizing him for sidelining women and suggesting he shouldn’t “be our next president.”
“At this stage in my life, I have zero f–ks left to give,” Berry said during remarks at the Dealbook Summit, according to the Hollywood Reporter. She specifically called out the Democratic governor: “Back in my great state of California, my very own governor, Gavin Newsom, has vetoed our menopause bill, not one, but two years in a row. But that’s OK, because he’s not going to be governor forever. The way he has overlooked women, half the population, by devaluing us, he probably should not be our next president either. Just saying.”
The comment reportedly drew gasps from the crowd at New York City’s Lincoln Center, where Newsom later spoke.
Newsom’s term as governor ends in 2026, and he confirmed last October that he is considering a 2028 presidential bid. Polls consistently list him as a top contender in a Democratic primary, alongside former Vice President Kamala Harris and ex-Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg.
Berry’s criticism stemmed from Newsom’s repeated veto of legislation aimed at improving menopause care. The bill would have required healthcare plans to provide guidance on menopause treatments and mandated training for healthcare providers on menopause-related care.
Berry, 59, is also the founder of Respin, a women’s health and longevity company focused on menopause. She emphasized the broader cultural issue, saying, “In 2025, there is still a lot to be talked about, discovered, and uncovered, especially for women navigating midlife and considering longevity. Women like me are simply devalued in this country. Our culture thinks that at 59 years old, I am past my prime, and women my age start to become invisible in Hollywood, in the workplace, on social media. Women are pressured to stay forever 35.”
A spokesperson for Newsom, Izzy Gardon, told The Post that the governor vetoed the bill because it would have increased healthcare costs. “The Governor has deep admiration for Ms. Berry’s advocacy and looks forward to working with her and other stakeholders on this critical issue,” Gardon said. “He shares her goal of expanding access to menopause care that too many women struggle to get. He vetoed the bill because, as written, it would have unintentionally raised health care costs for millions of working women already stretched thin — something he’s determined to avoid.”
Gardon added, “We’re confident that by working together this year, we can expand access to essential menopause treatment while protecting women from higher bills.”
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