'The View' host Sunny Hostin defends Gavin Newsom against Halle Berry's criticism over HRT bill

NEW YORK CITY, NEW YORK: On December 5, 2025 broadcast of 'The View', co‑host Sunny Hostin publicly defended California Governor Gavin Newsom after actress Halle Berry criticized him for blocking a bill intended to expand access to hormone replacement therapy. 

Hostin acknowledged Berry’s passion but strongly disagreed with her assessment of the governor’s record on women’s health.

Sunny Hostin’s defense of Gavin Newsom

Hostin began by making it clear, “I adore Halle Berry, I know Halle Berry. I disagree with her 100 percent on this.”

She explained that Newsom vetoed the Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) bill due to fiscal concerns: "Gavin Newsom made it very clear that the reason that he’s vetoed this bill twice is because he’s asking them to tailor it for costs.”

She noted that healthcare premiums are projected to rise significantly “Remember that in 2026, healthcare premiums are going to go up to almost $1,000 per family. In an effort to keep healthcare costs down, he has to veto it because they’re not tailoring the bill.”

Hostin also pointed out a spectrum of actions taken by Newsom that she believes benefit women’s health. She cited his support for a “measure allowing healthcare providers to prescribe abortion medication anonymously.” 

She further added, “He increased legal protection for providers against criminal prosecution in October. He signed legislation that protects women’s health by creating safety regulations for ingredients and materials in products used by women, including hair, menstrual products, prenatal vitamins. He has done a lot for women.”

Hostin framed the veto not as a rejection of women’s health, but as a decision shaped on broader issues. She asserted that Newsom is “thinking about the health of the country, and the rising costs of healthcare.”

Halle Berry’s criticism and Gavin Newsom’s veto

Berry has been a longtime advocate for menopause care, said she felt women were being overlooked especially at a stage of life when medical support, research, and understanding are often lacking.

She said, "If men had a medical condition that disrupted their sleep, brain function and sex life,” adding, “We’d be calling that a health crisis on par with Covid, and the whole world would shut down.”

Speaking at the New York Times DealBook Summit on Dec 3, she criticized Newsom for twice vetoing the proposed HRT bill, saying his actions reflected a broader pattern of “devaluing” women in midlife.

“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 said.

Her remarks sparked a public debate over access to hormone replacement therapy and whether cost concerns justify blocking legislation aimed at improving women’s healthcare.

Newsom clarified his position on the menopause care legislation that inspired Berry's criticism.

He said that he'd spoken with Berry's manager, and that the actress, "didn't know" that his administration plans to include funding for the proposal in his upcoming budget for 2026-27.

“We have the ability to reconcile that, so we’re reconciling. I’ve included it in next year’s budget," Newsom told a reporter.

He continued "We already were in the process of fixing it."