Gavin Newsom struggles as Ben Shapiro asks 'whether boys can become girls'

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: California Governor Gavin Newsom appeared visibly uncomfortable as he struggled to respond to a blunt gender identity question during a podcast exchange that has since ignited fierce political debate.

The tense moment unfolded during a Thursday, January 15, episode of ‘This Is Gavin Newsom’, when conservative commentator Ben Shapiro pressed the Democratic governor on whether boys can become girls.

Ben Shapiro stumps Gavin Newsom with gender question

Shapiro challenged Newsom directly, questioning why the governor was unwilling to say “whether boys can become girls,” particularly given California’s progressive policies on gender identity in schools.

The question appeared to catch Newsom off guard. 

“Yeah. I just don’t, well, I think, uh, I’m for the grace of God,” Newsom said hesitantly, trailing off before adding another uncertain “Yeah.”

Shapiro responded with visible frustration, saying, “I appreciate the sympathy … anybody who’s suffering with any sort of mental or physical condition, that’s terrible,” before pressing the governor again for clarity.

Rather than offering a direct response, Newsom pivoted to broad reflections, stammering as he spoke about compassion and historical continuity.

“I mean, I think it’s been, it’s been the case for generations, for, in time immemorial. I, you know, God bless. I just, I don’t know how,” he said, before Shapiro cut him off.

“Why is this a hard one?” Shapiro asked pointedly. “I just don’t understand why.”

Newsom replied that he recognized the “political potency” of the issue, suggesting the controversy surrounding gender identity had been amplified beyond the number of people directly affected.

“Why is it such a, uh, uh, I’m, I’m curious. I, I understand the political potency of it,” he said. 

Shapiro pushed back, arguing the issue was not about politics but about reality. “It is not an act of bigotry to say that a boy cannot become a girl,” he said, adding that teaching otherwise in public schools crossed a line for many parents. “That’s an act of rationality and biological simplicity.”

California’s transgender policies 

The exchange comes against the backdrop of California’s aggressive stance on transgender issues under Newsom’s leadership.

His administration has supported policies allowing schools to socially transition children without notifying parents, and, in 2022, he signed legislation making California a “sanctuary” for transgender-identifying minors seeking medical procedures barred in other states.

While Newsom has previously called men competing in women’s sports “unfair,” California’s Department of Education has refused to comply with demands from President Donald Trump’s administration to bar biological males from women’s sports and spaces.

The Democrat attempted to strike a conciliatory tone during the podcast, saying he “respect[ed]” Shapiro’s perspective and acknowledging that “good people” can disagree.

However, he deflected when asked whether California’s policies respected opposing viewpoints.

Gavin Newsom’s flip-flops on trans identity issues

Despite defending transgender protections publicly, Newsom conceded during the discussion that pushing the idea that boys can become girls is politically damaging for Democrats. 

The admission only fueled criticism from conservatives who accused him of prioritizing optics over honesty.

In a 2023 press release, Newsom defended his administration’s approach, stating, “California is proud to have some of the most robust laws in the nation when it comes to protecting and supporting our LGBTQ+ community.”