Full Breakdown
Gavin Newsom Faces Criticism Over Sitting Position and Menopause Bill Veto
12/7/2025, 3:43:06 AM
Controversial Sitting Position at DealBook Summit
California Governor Gavin Newsom recently drew attention for his unconventional sitting posture during an interview at The New York Times DealBook Summit in New York City. Newsom, 58, sat with his legs sharply crossed and his ankle bent, which led to mockery on social media and a segment on FOX News. Conservative commentators, including Republican strategist Katie Zachariah, criticized his pose as "pathetic," suggesting it did not convey confidence. In response, Newsom's press office shared a photoshopped image of him in an exaggerated position, captioned, “Democracy requires flexibility.” Newsom himself reposted the image, expressing surprise with a simple "WOW!"
Halle Berry's Critique of Newsom
The scrutiny of Newsom's sitting position coincided with actress Halle Berry's sharp criticism of his recent veto of the Menopause Care Equity Act. Berry, who spoke just before Newsom at the summit, accused him of "devaluing" women by vetoing the bill twice. The proposed legislation aimed to mandate comprehensive health insurance coverage for menopause-related care and establish a menopause-specific curriculum for medical professionals. Berry's remarks were pointed, asserting that Newsom's actions disqualified him from presidential aspirations, stating, “the way he has overlooked women... he probably should not be our next president either.”
Newsom's Response and Future Plans
In the aftermath of Berry's comments, Newsom indicated that he had spoken with her manager and was "reconciling this." He defended his veto, explaining that the bill, as written, would have unintentionally increased healthcare costs for many working women and families. Despite the backlash, Newsom's administration has included funding for the Menopause Care Equity Act in California's 2026 budget, a decision that was reportedly accelerated due to Berry's public criticism.
Implications for Newsom's Presidential Aspirations
Newsom is widely considered a leading contender for the 2028 presidential race, although he has not formally declared his candidacy. His recent actions, including frequent criticisms of former President Donald Trump and the passage of Proposition 50—granting California additional congressional seats—are seen as efforts to bolster his political profile. However, the controversy surrounding his sitting position and the backlash from prominent figures like Halle Berry may complicate his path forward.
Verbatim Quotes
- “That is such a pathetic pose. I do not see boss men, especially not President Trump, sit like that.” — Katie Zachariah, Republican Strategist
- “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,” — Halle Berry, Actress
- “We have to be a party that understands the importance and power of the border.” — Gavin Newsom, Governor of California
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
While Newsom's spokesperson stated that the veto was to avoid raising healthcare costs, it remains unclear why the funding for the Menopause Care Equity Act was not prioritized earlier. Additionally, the timeline for the announcement of the funding has not been clarified, raising questions about the motivations behind the recent changes.
