California Governor Gavin Newsom is making waves with his bold challenge to Donald Trump, but not everyone on the left is cheering. His controversial views on transgender issues are creating a rift, leaving many questioning the true cost of political strategy. Is ‘not Trump’ really enough for progress?

California Governor Gavin Newsom’s political profile has ascended significantly in recent months, largely due to his aggressive “fight fire with fire” approach against former President Donald Trump. While many liberals might see this as a commendable political strategy, a growing chorus of critics within the Democratic party is expressing concern, particularly regarding Newsom’s nuanced and often controversial stance on transgender rights and broader LGBTQ+ issues.

The controversy intensified with Newsom’s podcast, “This Is Gavin Newsom,” where he hosted figures associated with the far-right, some espousing transphobic viewpoints. During one notable episode, Newsom appeared to concur with pundit Charlie Kirk on the perceived unfairness of transgender women and girls competing in female sports, stating, “It is an issue of fairness, it’s deeply unfair. We’ve got to own that. We’ve got to acknowledge it.” This comment directly contradicted typical liberal politics and sparked significant backlash.

Beyond his podcast, Newsom has adopted a social media style reminiscent of Donald Trump, characterized by direct challenges and viral posts. His broader political strategy against Trump includes efforts like planning to challenge Texas’ mid-decade redistricting and suing the former president over the federalization of California’s National Guard during anti-ICE demonstrations, showcasing a proactive approach to national political engagement.

Historically, Gavin Newsom has been a notable ally for the LGBTQ+ community. He famously defied federal law by issuing marriage licenses to same-sex couples as Mayor of San Francisco before national legalization in 2015. More recently, in 2024, he signed a bill aimed at protecting California LGBTQ+ students from being outed by their schools, and California declared itself a refuge for transgender healthcare under his governorship in 2022, allowing access for both state residents and out-of-state minors.

However, recent actions have shown a departure from some traditional liberal politics on hot-button transgender rights issues. In the same March podcast episode, Newsom suggested that the Democratic party was “crushed” on transgender issues in the 2024 election, implying a need for a different approach. This shift aligns with a February poll indicating growing public support for restrictions on trans individuals, including requirements for trans athletes to compete based on sex assigned at birth and bans on gender-affirming care for minors.

Critics, such as Weikal, an advocate for transgender rights, perceive Newsom’s evolving stance as a calculated political strategy, potentially sacrificing vulnerable groups like the transgender community for political gain. From this perspective, the situation feels like a “no-win” scenario, where the trans community faces threats from conservative policies and feels abandoned by segments of the Democratic party keen to avoid political headwinds.

Prominent figures like reporter Erin Reed and writer/trans woman Tunnell have voiced serious concerns regarding the trajectory of Newsom’s politics. They highlight the perceived inconsistency between his past actions, such as toasting a trans bride in 2019, and his current engagements with right-wing influencers, questioning his understanding of basic concepts like pronouns. This suggests a deepening apprehension about his genuine commitment to LGBTQ+ issues.

Ultimately, activists like comedian and trans advocate Mx. Dahlia Belle underscore a deeper frustration. They argue that reducing the U.S. political system to “memes and Twitter fights” is insufficient. The demand from those on the “bottom rungs of society” is not merely “not Donald Trump,” but rather tangible progress and a genuine overhaul of a system many view as failing and broken, advocating for more substantive liberal politics and protections for all communities.