Oscar-winning actor Halle Berry delivered a sharp rebuke to California Governor Gavin Newsom’s potential presidential run during the New York Times DealBook Summit on Wednesday.
Berry took aim at the Democratic governor for twice vetoing the Menopause Care Equity Act, legislation which she campaigned for, that would have required health insurance plans to provide comprehensive coverage for menopause treatment in California.
She told the New York audience, to gasps, the lawmaker “probably should not be our next president” because he had “overlooked…half the population”. Newsom, who spoke at the same event later in the day, has not directly addressed her remarks.
Newsweek has approached Newsom and Berry for comment in emails sent outside of regular working hours.
Why It Matters
Newsom has emerged as one of the leading contenders for the Democratic presidential nomination. He has not made an official bid, but is polling ahead of likely rivals in early analysis. The governor’s policy choices, including on women’s health, will likely come further under the microscope if he decides to run as a possible 2028 White House contender.
What To Know
The Menopause Care Equity Act, also known as AB432, had bipartisan support in the California state legislature and was intended to require insurance coverage for menopause and perimenopause symptoms, as well as incentivize menopause-specific physician education and curriculum development in medical schools.
Speaking at the summit, Berry said: “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. 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 in midlife, he probably should not be our next president either. Just saying.”
Newsom has previously justified his vetoes, saying in October: “Last year, I vetoed a substantially similar bill, stating that it would limit the ability of health plans to engage in practices that have been shown to ensure appropriate care while limiting unnecessary costs. That is still the case with this bill, despite my call for a more tailored solution. This bill’s expansive coverage mandate, in conjunction with a prohibition on UM [utilization management], is too far-reaching.”
The lawmaker has signaled openness to a 2028 presidential run, telling CBS News Sunday Morning in October: “Yeah, I’d be lying otherwise,” when asked if he would consider a run after the 2026 midterms, and indicating he is “looking forward to who presents themselves in 2028 and who meets that moment…That’s the question for the American people”
As of late November, Newsom is polling ahead of several Democratic rivals in key primary states according to RaceToTheWhiteHouse.com data.
Berry was a vocal supporter of former President Barack Obama, but has spoken out less about political candidates in recent years. In 2008, she told Philadelphia Daily News, per Politico: “I’ll do whatever he says to do.” Adding: “I’ll collect paper cups off the ground to make his pathway clear.”
What People Are Saying
Halle Berry, talking at the New York Times DealBook summit on Wednesday, said: “In 2025, there is a lot to still be talked about and discovered and uncovered, especially if you are a woman who is navigating midlife and thoughtfully considering your longevity, Because in 2025, I, Halle Berry, and women of my age are simply devalued in this country.”
California Governor Gavin Newsom, addressing his reasoning for the veto in October, wrote: “I strongly support the author’s goal of ensuring quality care and access to evaluation and treatment of perimenopause and menopause symptoms. However, these factors, along with a lack of clarity in Ab 432 regarding undefined terms, still raise significant cost and implementation concerns.”
What Happens Next
Newsom will step down as governor of California in January 2027, after serving the constitutionally mandated maximum of two terms.
He has indicated he will decide on an official 2028 presidential bid after the November 2026 midterm elections. Early polling suggests he is a leading contender among likely Democratic primary voters, with a recent Polymarket prediction giving him a 36 percent chance of capturing the Democratic nomination ahead of New York Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Senator Mark Kelly of Arizona.
