Halle Berry publicly lambasted California Gov. Gavin Newsom during her appearance at The New York Times’ DealBook Summit, delivering one of the sharpest celebrity criticisms the governor has faced since floating interest in a 2028 presidential run.
In a speech centered on the treatment of aging women in America and Hollywood, Berry stunned the audience by accusing Newsom of repeatedly “overlooking women” and suggesting he “probably should not be our next president.”
Halle Berry as Catwoman – DC
READ: Zootopia 2 Has Already Surpassed Superman 2025 at the Global Box Office… in One Week
The comments weren’t subtle. They weren’t soft. And they certainly weren’t expected from a longtime California superstar who has rarely taken aim at Sacramento’s leadership.
But this time, Berry came armed with receipts.
Berry Calls Out Newsom For Vetoing Menopause Bills—Twice
During her remarks, Berry pointed directly to Newsom’s double veto of AB 432, a bill authored by Assemblymember Rebecca Bauer-Kahan designed to improve menopause care access in California. The bill would have required insurers to provide support and guidance for menopause-related treatment and mandated training for healthcare providers.
Berry recounted Newsom’s actions verbatim:
“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. “But that’s OK, because he’s not going to be governor forever, and the way he has overlooked women, half the population, by devaluing us, he probably should not be our next president either. Just saying.”
Halle Berry sits for an interview – YouTube, Tamsen Fadal
The crowd reportedly gasped. Not because Berry is incapable of bluntness — she also told the audience, “At this stage in my life, I have zero f—- left to give” — but because her target was a sitting liberal governor with national ambitions.
Newsom vetoed the menopause bill again in October, a move that did not go unnoticed by women’s health advocates — nor, clearly, by one of Hollywood’s most recognizable figures.
Newsom’s 2028 White House Hopes Take a Hit
The governor has openly discussed his interest in a presidential run once his term ends, telling CBS News he is giving “serious thought” to 2028. He even attended the same DealBook Summit where Berry delivered her criticism. Up until now, most major Hollywood celebrities have been lining up behind Newsom to support his bid, with Deadline reporting that “big checks” are already being written.
Having a major Hollywood star — one with international recognition — publicly denounce him as someone who “devalues” women is not the campaign kickoff he would likely prefer.
Gavin Newsom speaking at Climate Week in NYC – Photo Credit: Office of the California Governor, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
READ: The Matrix Creator Lilly Wachowski Attacks Conservatives Who Use the Term “Red-Pilled”
And for a governor who built a national brand through image, charisma, and carefully polished media moments, it’s the kind of critique that sticks.
Berry Says Women Her Age Are Treated as “Invisible”
Beyond Newsom, Berry described a broader cultural problem: women being pushed into silence or irrelevance once they reach midlife.
“Our culture thinks that, at 59 years old, I am past my prime,” she said. “Women my age start to become invisible in Hollywood, in the workplace, on social media.”
Halle Berry as Storm in the Fox X-Men movies – Disney+
She also admitted she feels the same pressures many women face.
“I feel that pressure to change myself in order to stay seen as relevant and desirable,” she said.
This is part of why Berry refocused her health company, Respin, on women’s wellness and menopause support — a mission she emphasized Newsom undermined by vetoing the bill.
A Personal Story That Foreshadowed Her Defiance
Berry ended with a story from her childhood about being bullied, beaten, and left “shirtless in a gutter,” describing the moment she decided she would never allow herself to be mistreated again.
The message was clear: she’s not afraid to call out powerful figures — even governors.
And Newsom just learned that firsthand.
Gavin Newsom giving a speech – Office of the Governor of California, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
Halle Berry lighting up a room is expected. Lighting up Gavin Newsom? Maybe less so. But when a celebrity with nothing left to lose decides you’re the reason California women feel ignored… well, that’s how headlines start trending. Newsom may want to rethink that 2028 timeline — because if this is the preview, the main event could be brutal.
How do you feel about Halle Berry slamming Newsom and his presidential bid? Sound off in the comments and let us know!
UP NEXT: James Cameron Slams AI-Generated Actors as “Horrifying” While Serving on Board of AI Company
“….just sayin’.”
Can we lose that from the modern lexicon?
At least this dummy may have some sway over the massive dummy liberal female “voter” and keep this creep far from the Oval Office.
I doubt Berry has the clout to shift many voters by herself. But isn’t that the lesson Hollywood supposedly learned? Celebrity endorsements aren’t worth much; yet they still give them and write the checks.
I give her credit for citing a reason not to vote for him but there are 20 other reasons she ignored because she’s still a Hollywood liberal. The Harris campaign proved that the influence of a thousand Hollywood celebs like Halle Berry is worthless, much less the influence of one.