Superstar actress Halle Berry shocked attendees at the high-profile DealBook Summit on Wednesday when she openly criticized California Governor Gavin Newsom, accusing him of disregarding women’s issues and declaring that he should not become the next President of the United States.
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During a panel focused on how women are perceived both in Hollywood and across the country, Berry shifted the conversation from culture to politics. Her tone sharpened as she addressed what she viewed as Newsom’s failure to support crucial women’s health legislation in California.
The bill at the center of her frustration, AB 432, was introduced by Assemblymember Rebecca Bauer-Kahan to update and expand menopause care throughout the state. Its provisions would have required healthcare plans to provide guidance for menopause treatment and mandated specific training for medical professionals.
Supporters of the bill argued that it addressed a long-neglected area of women’s health, one that affects tens of millions of women nationwide and receives far too little public attention or medical infrastructure.
Despite the widespread backing, Newsom vetoed the legislation—twice. He rejected it once last year and again in October, even as he has worked to boost his national political profile and position himself as a potential contender in 2028.
Berry made it clear she was unimpressed with his decisions. While speaking to the summit audience, she highlighted Newsom’s veto as an example of the political disconnect women are increasingly unwilling to tolerate.
WATCH:
She pointed out that although leaders often speak about supporting women, their actions—such as vetoing a bill on menopause care—send a very different message. Berry suggested that such behavior should disqualify Newsom from being taken seriously as a future presidential candidate.
Berry followed her critique with a call to action. She urged women across the country to unite and push for better recognition of their needs, emphasizing that the movement requires support not only from women but also from men and national leaders.
Her remarks carried even more weight because Newsom himself was present at the event. The moment stood out as a rare public confrontation in which a Hollywood figure challenged both the governor’s record and the idea of his political ascent.
In October, Newsom stated that he is “giving serious thought” to a presidential run, fueling speculation about his national ambitions—ambitions that Berry suggested should be reconsidered in light of his treatment of women’s health issues.[/read]