Hollywood icon Halle Berry just dropped a bombshell at a high-profile New York event, taking direct aim at California Governor Gavin Newsom for what she sees as a betrayal of women’s health needs.
The New York Post reported that on Wednesday, at the New York Times Dealbook Summit held at Jazz at Lincoln Center, Berry unleashed sharp criticism of Newsom for vetoing a critical menopause care bill not once, but twice, while also questioning his fitness for higher office.
This isn’t just a celebrity spat; it’s a clash over policy that affects half the population, as the vetoed legislation sought to mandate health care plans to offer menopause treatment recommendations and ensure providers receive proper training on the issue.
Berry, the 59-year-old founder of Respin, a company dedicated to women’s health and longevity, didn’t mince words when addressing Newsom’s decision to block the bill for the second consecutive year in October.
“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,” Berry declared at the summit, her frustration palpable to an audience that reportedly gasped at her candor.
Let’s be clear: while passion for a cause is admirable, vetoes often come down to practical concerns, and Newsom’s camp argues this bill could hike health care costs for working women already struggling—a valid point in an era of skyrocketing expenses.
Berry didn’t stop at policy critique; she went further, suggesting Newsom’s disregard for women’s issues disqualifies him from future national leadership ambitions, especially as polls frequently place him among top Democratic contenders alongside figures like Kamala Harris and Pete Buttigieg.
“But that’s OK, because he’s not going to be governor forever, and the way he has overlooked women, half the population, by devaluing us, he probably should not be our next president either. Just saying,” Berry added, landing a polite but pointed jab that reverberated through the room.
Sure, it’s a zinger, but let’s not pretend personal ambition doesn’t color political critique—Berry’s comments, while bold, might overlook the messy reality of governing where tough calls on cost versus benefit aren’t always black-and-white.
Later that same day at the summit, Newsom took the stage, though the tension from Berry’s earlier remarks likely lingered in the air as attendees processed the unexpected showdown.
Izzy Gardon, a spokesperson for Newsom, defended the governor’s veto, emphasizing that while he respects Berry’s advocacy, the bill as written risked burdening millions of women with higher health care costs—an outcome he’s determined to avoid.
It’s a reasonable counterargument; in a state as economically strained as California, protecting working families from additional financial hits isn’t exactly a villainous stance, even if it frustrates activists pushing for reform.
Berry’s critique taps into a larger cultural concern about how society values women, especially as they age, and her platform as a Hollywood veteran gives weight to a discussion often sidelined in policy circles.
Newsom, whose term as governor concludes at the end of 2026 and who has openly considered a White House bid in 2028, now faces scrutiny over whether his record on women’s issues can withstand the spotlight of national ambition.
Ultimately, this summit dust-up isn’t just celebrity drama—it’s a reminder that health care policy remains a battleground where good intentions collide with fiscal realities, and both Berry and Newsom have a point worth debating as we prioritize what truly serves the public good.
