Oscar-winning actress Halle Berry launched harsh criticism against California Governor Gavin Newsom, accusing him of ignoring women and openly questioning his suitability as a future president of the United States. The statements were made on Wednesday during the DealBook Summit, held at Lincoln Center in New York, and caused surprise among attendees.
During her speech, Berry stated that she is at a stage in her life where she no longer fears expressing strong opinions. From the stage, she directly targeted Newsom for having vetoed for two consecutive years a bill aimed at improving and expanding menopause-related medical care in California. According to the actress, this decision reflects a systematic devaluation of women, particularly those going through middle age.
Berry argued that the governor has overlooked "half the population" and stated that, for that reason, he should not be the country's next president. Her words provoked astonishment among the audience, especially because Newsom was scheduled to participate in the same event shortly afterward.
The California governor's term ends in late 2026, and in October he confirmed that he is considering a presidential run for 2028. Various polls place him as one of the main contenders within the Democratic Party, along with Vice President Kamala Harris and Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg.
Nevertheless, Berry's criticism calls his image as a progressive leader into question and opens a broader debate about the deteriorating relationship between the Democratic Party and the world of film and entertainment.
The legislation vetoed by Newsom sought to require health plans to provide recommendations on menopause treatments and mandate specialized training for medical professionals.
