A Hollywood A-lister just forced California’s governor into a humiliating public retreat after she torched his record on women’s health at a major business summit.
Story Snapshot
- Halle Berry publicly eviscerated Gavin Newsom at the New York Times DealBook Summit for twice vetoing a menopause care bill
- Berry declared Newsom “devalues women” and questioned his fitness for the presidency
- Within 24 hours, Newsom’s team contacted Berry’s manager seeking to “reconcile” the dispute
- Newsom quickly revealed a new menopause measure was already being added to the state budget
- The governor’s rapid backpedal showcased how celebrity pressure can accelerate political timelines
Berry Delivers Devastating Public Rebuke
At the prestigious New York Times DealBook Summit, Halle Berry unleashed a scathing attack on California Governor Gavin Newsom that left the audience gasping. The Oscar-winning actress didn’t mince words, declaring she had “zero f***s left to give” while condemning Newsom for twice vetoing legislation aimed at improving menopause care coverage. Berry’s calculated assault questioned whether someone who “devalues women” deserved consideration for higher office, directly targeting Newsom’s presidential ambitions.
Berry’s choice of venue proved strategic brilliance. The DealBook Summit attracts influential business leaders, policymakers, and media figures, ensuring maximum visibility for her message. By framing women’s health as both a policy failure and a character issue, she transformed what could have been a niche healthcare debate into a broader indictment of Newsom’s leadership priorities.
Newsom’s Swift Damage Control Operation
The governor’s response revealed the political potency of Berry’s attack. Within hours, Newsom’s office issued statements expressing “deep admiration” for Berry’s advocacy while his team scrambled to contact her management. When cornered by reporters at Newark International Airport, Newsom appeared defensive, insisting his team had “just connected with her manager” and they were working to “reconcile this” situation.
More tellingly, Newsom quickly disclosed that a new menopause measure was already being incorporated into California’s upcoming budget. His claim that this decision predated Berry’s criticism rang hollow given the timing. Sources close to the governor’s office later admitted the public announcement had been accelerated following Berry’s remarks, suggesting her pressure campaign achieved immediate results.
The Menopause Policy Battle Reveals Deeper Issues
Newsom’s original vetoes stemmed from concerns about increased healthcare costs for families and employers. He argued that mandating expanded menopause coverage could burden working women with higher premiums. However, this cost-containment rationale exposed a troubling pattern where women’s health issues are routinely sacrificed on the altar of fiscal responsibility.
Women’s health advocates have long argued that menopause represents a glaring example of medical sexism. Despite affecting virtually all women, menopause research remains underfunded while treatment options are often dismissed as optional rather than essential healthcare. Newsom’s vetoes inadvertently reinforced these systemic inequities, providing Berry with powerful ammunition for her public attack.
Celebrity Activism Forces Political Accountability
Berry’s intervention demonstrates how celebrity advocacy can bypass traditional political channels to create immediate pressure. Her platform allowed her to elevate a relatively obscure state policy issue into national headlines, forcing Newsom to respond on her timeline rather than his own. The speed of his capitulation suggests politicians remain vulnerable to high-profile criticism, especially when it touches on sensitive demographic concerns.
The incident also highlights the evolving nature of political accountability in the social media age. Berry didn’t need to lobby legislators or organize grassroots campaigns; she simply used her celebrity status and a prestigious platform to shame a powerful politician into action. This approach may encourage other celebrities to adopt more confrontational tactics when advocating for their preferred causes.
Sources:
TMZ – Gavin Newsom responds to Halle Berry menopause criticism
