Obama allies turn on Gavin Newsom over Biden rift as Democratic tensions rise: 'Convenient pivots'

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: California Governor Gavin Newsom, once a proud champion of progressive causes, is now drawing fire from both sides of the political aisle as he appears to shift his stance on key issues, fueling speculation about a potential 2028 presidential run.

The controversy reignited after a recent podcast appearance where Newsom stumbled over a straightforward question about gender treatments for children, despite having previously backed laws allowing such treatments without parental consent.

Newsom has also softened his stance on gun control, accepting a handgun as a gift and declaring that he’s “not anti-gun.” At the same time, he has privately criticized Joe Biden’s immigration policies, even as he publicly praised them in the past.

Gavin Newsom's response on child gender treatments raises eyebrows

Gavin Newsom spoke with confidence and flair, laying out his policies, values, and vision for the future over more than four hours.

But his composure cracked when confronted with a seemingly simple yes-or-no question: "Should eight-year-old children be allowed to receive medical treatments to change their biological sex?"

Newsom, now the father of a nine-year-old, fumbled his response. “Now that I have a nine-year-old, just became nine, come on man..." he began, clearly uneasy. As podcaster Shawn Ryan gave him space to elaborate, Newsom vaguely added, “I get it,” without clarifying what exactly he understood.

He continued haltingly, "So those are legit… You know, it's interesting, the issue of age, I haven't…" before abruptly shifting the conversation, joking about his struggles with using preferred pronouns and how his Hispanic staff teased him for saying “Latinx.”

The governor’s discomfort was evident, a sharp contrast to his past clarity on such issues.

Gavin Newsom's support for transgender rights was once clear

In previous years, Gavin Newsom’s support for transgender rights was clear and unapologetic. In October 2021, he proudly signed AB 1184 into law, a bill that allowed minors as young as 12 to access puberty blockers and cross-sex hormones without parental approval, though it stopped short of permitting surgical procedures. 

Then, in September 2022, he declared California a "sanctuary state" for trans youth, ensuring access to gender-affirming care banned in other states and protecting families from legal repercussions. 

By July 2024, Newsom signed AB 1955, which barred teachers from disclosing a student’s transgender identity to parents.

Now, with his final term as governor ending in November 2026 and unemployment looming, Newsom’s political tone appears to be shifting. Despite his past positions, he now responds with hesitation and ambiguity when questioned on similar issues.

Asked recently about his 2028 presidential ambitions, Newsom acted surprised. "I'm not thinking about running,” he said, before adding with careful wording, “But it's a path that I could see unfold.” 

Barack Obama allies bash Gavin Newsom after his recent outreach to conservative figures

Johanna Maska, a California resident and former aide in the Barack Obama White House, voiced disappointment in Gavin Newsom’s recent outreach to conservative figures. While she supports open dialogue across political lines, she criticized the governor for abandoning authenticity in the process.

“I'm a huge believer in talking to conservatives,” she told the Daily Mail, “but not changing who you are." She went on to accuse Newsom of “[licking] Charlie Kirk’s boots” and called his behavior “pretty blatant electioneering.”

Anthony Rendon, who served as Speaker of the California Assembly when Newsom took office, also criticized the governor’s pivot away from progressive principles. “They're mystified,” he told CalMatters. “‘WTF?’ is the most common text message I get.”

Ludovic Blain, executive director of the progressive donor group California Donor Table, was equally blunt. He accused Newsom of “capitulating to authoritarians” and warned that the governor’s shift risks hollowing out the Democratic Party’s values. “He's turning the Democratic Party into one that stands for nothing. We do expect Gavin to be better.”

On the other end of the spectrum, Jonathan Keller, CEO of the conservative California Family Council, expressed deep skepticism about the sincerity behind Newsom’s apparent policy reversal.

Speaking to the Daily Mail, Keller acknowledged, "While we appreciate any acknowledgment that California's radical gender ideology policies have gone too far, we remain skeptical of Governor Newsom's apparent shift."

“For years, his administration has championed dangerous policies that undermine parental rights, threaten the safety of women and girls, and impose harmful ideologies on our children,” Keller said.

“True leadership requires consistent principled positions rooted in biological reality and respect for parental authority, not politically convenient pivots when national ambitions are at stake.”

He concluded with a warning: “We'll judge Governor Newsom by his actions, not his election-season rhetoric. Any genuine reconsideration of these destructive policies would be welcome. But Californians have learned to be wary of this governor's shifting positions when political winds change.”