Academy Award–winning actress Halle Berry reportedly stunned attendees at the New York Times DealBook Summit on Wednesday when she launched a blistering attack on California Governor Gavin Newsom. Berry, 59, took the stage to discuss menopause care and the broader issue of women’s health, but her remarks quickly turned political as she accused Newsom of dismissing the needs of millions of women.
“At this stage in my life, I have zero f*cks left to give,” Berry declared, setting the tone for a fiery speech aimed squarely at California’s Democratic governor. Berry expressed deep frustration that legislation she supported—intended to mandate certain menopause care benefits and expand professional training—had been vetoed by Newsom not once, but twice.
“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,” she told the audience. Berry didn’t hold back, adding that Newsom’s disregard for women’s health needs should disqualify him from any higher political ambitions. “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.”
Audience members reportedly gasped as Berry name-dropped Newsom—who was also appearing at the summit—highlighting the stark contrast between the governor’s political aspirations and the concerns of women advocating for expanded healthcare access. The bill in question, AB 432, authored by Assemblywoman Rebecca Bauer-Kahan, was once again rejected in October.
After Berry’s remarks gained attention, Newsom’s office responded. Spokesperson Izzy Gardon said the governor vetoed the bill because it would have raised healthcare costs for millions of working women, a consequence Newsom wanted to avoid. “He vetoed the bill because, as written, it would have unintentionally raised health care costs for millions of working women already stretched thin — something he’s determined to avoid,” Gardon said. However, Gardon also indicated that Newsom is “confident” progress can be made to pass the bill this year. Newsom’s term ends in 2026.
Berry, though, framed the issue within a broader cultural struggle. She argued that women entering midlife face systemic neglect—not only from policymakers, but from the entertainment industry, social media, and workplaces across the country. “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,” she said. Berry described women her age as “devalued” in American culture, adding that many are told implicitly that they are “past [their] prime” by 59.
Her criticism underscores a growing frustration among women who feel political leaders are overlooking essential health needs while positioning themselves for national office. By taking her complaints public, Berry put Newsom in the uncomfortable position of defending his decisions to a high-profile audience that included voters skeptical of his leadership.
The clash over AB 432 now sits at the center of a larger national conversation about women’s healthcare—one that Berry made clear she intends to keep pushing into the spotlight.
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