At **The New York Times DealBook Summit** in New York City on **Dec. 3, 2025**, Oscar-winning *Monsterâs Ball* star **Halle Berry** used her platform to call out Gov. **Gavin Newsom** â *just minutes before he appeared on stage*.
Berry, speaking passionately about womenâs health and aging, took aim at Newsom for repeatedly vetoing legislation aimed at improving care for menopausal and perimenopausal women. She didnât hold back.
The reaction from the audience was immediate â a mix of gasps, applause, and viral replays on social platforms that turned the moment into a widely discussed topic overnight. ([People.com][2])
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## đ§ Who Is Halle Berry â And Why Her Voice Matters
Halle Berry is a globally recognized actress whose career spans decades. In 2002, she made history when she won the **Academy Award for Best Actress** for her role in *Monsterâs Ball*, becoming the **first Black woman** to do so. Her influence extends beyond Hollywood, as sheâs also the founder of **Respin Health**, a company focused on menopause and womenâs health. ([Parade][3])
This context matters: Berry isnât just venting on stage â sheâs a *womenâs health advocate* personally invested in the policy at the center of her critique.
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## đ What Is the Menopause Care Equity Act?
The controversy stems from legislation in California called the **Menopause Care Equity Act**. This bill aims to:
Berry and others saw the bill as a step forward in addressing a long-ignored aspect of womenâs healthcare â one that affects millions of women nationwide. ([The Times of India][4])
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## đŁď¸ âHe Probably Should Not Be the Next Presidentâ
The line that vaulted the moment into viral status was Berryâs statement that âhe probably should not be our next president.â Thatâs a *remarkable political statement from a Hollywood figure*, especially considering rumors and speculation around Newsomâs national political ambitions â including a possible 2028 presidential run that has been hinted at by political strategists and reporters. ([Breitbart][1])
What made it especially powerful was **the timing**: Berry delivered this critique *right before Newsom took the stage at the same event*, giving the impression that her message was directly aimed at him and not just a general comment. ([People.com][2])
This isnât a typical Hollywood shout-out. Itâs a politician being scrutinized by a celebrity with personal stakes in the issue â and thatâs part of why it spread so fast across news feeds.
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### đââď¸ **Supporters Say:**
* Sheâs highlighting *womenâs health issues* that often go underrepresented
* Lawmakers should pay attention to policies impacting half the population
* Public figures have a platform and responsibility to speak out
Berry didnât just criticize â she used personal context and emotional weight â saying that the response to menopause issues has historically been dismissive, and arguing that if men experienced similar symptoms, it would already be treated as a major health crisis. ([The Times of India][4])
### 𤨠**Critics Say:**
* Some argue Berry was *overly political* or inappropriate at a business summit
* Others believe the billâs veto was grounded in concerns about rising healthcare costs
* A few commentators have questioned whether Hollywood voices should influence public policy debates
In fact, a spokesperson for Newsomâs office responded at the time, saying the governor shared the *goal* of expanding access to care but vetoed the bill because of cost concerns, emphasizing that he wanted to work toward solutions without spiking insurance premiums for working families. ([Breitbart][5])
That response highlights the *policy nuance* behind the broader moment: this isnât just celebrity vs. politician â itâs a clash between healthcare priorities, budget realities, and political ambitions.
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## 𧊠The Broader Political Backdrop
Gavin Newsom has been a key political figure in California for years â first as San Franciscoâs mayor, then as lieutenant governor, and now as Californiaâs governor. His policies on issues ranging from climate to housing have often drawn national attention.
The menopause care bill issue is just one part of his larger political story. But by linking his policy decisions to *potential presidential viability*, Berry touched on a narrative that extends far beyond one state Capitol.
Whether she intended to or not, her words put *Gavin Newsomâs broader leadership and ambitions under a spotlight* that critics and supporters alike are still debating. ([Breitbart][1])
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## đ§ What Newsomâs Team Has Said
After Berryâs initial remarks, Newsomâs spokesperson emphasized cooperation and acknowledged the importance of womenâs health. They reframed the veto as a measure intended to protect families from higher healthcare costs and offered to continue dialogue with advocates. ([Breitbart][5])
This type of pushback is common when public figures are criticized by celebrities â officials often seek to *soften responses*, emphasize shared goals, and deflect partisanship.
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## đĽ Berry Doubles Down
Far from backing away from her statements, Berry later *reiterated and expanded* on her criticism in subsequent interviews. She told *The Cut* that she never heard personally from Newsom after his office suggested theyâd âreconcile,â adding that she found the lack of follow-through “disturbing.” ([Breitbart][6])
Her argument reinforces the idea that this issue is deeply personal to her, not just a headline-grabber.
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## đŹ Public Reaction: Social Media Explodes
As is typical with big celebrity moments, social media reacted quickly. Clips of Berryâs comments went viral, hashtags trended, and people from all sides weighed in:
* **Supporters** applauded her for speaking out for womenâs health
* **Critics** called it political grandstanding
* **Media observers** debated whether celebrities should involve themselves in policy
The moment tapped into a broader cultural conversation about advocacy, influence, and the intersection of entertainment and politics.
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## đ Broader Impact on the Menopause Issue
Whether you agree with Berry or not, her comments *brought national attention* to a policy issue that previously might have been covered only in niche health reporting. The conversation about menopause care â coverage, training, and insurance implications â is now part of a much larger public debate.
Advocates say that attention from figures like Berry can help push lawmakers to take womenâs health concerns more seriously. Critics worry that celebrity involvement can *oversimplify complex policy challenges*.
Either way, itâs clear that Berryâs actions sparked a conversation that wasnât happening as loudly before. ([The Times of India][4])
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## đ§ Political Stakes Going Forward
With Newsomâs term as governor ending in January 2027 due to term limits, speculation about his future political ambitions has been intense. Some have discussed a potential **2028 presidential bid**, though nothing is official.
Berryâs comments â connecting Newsomâs policy decisions to his fitness for higher office â add a new layer to public discourse about his political viability. For politicians, *public perception matters*, and a headline-grabbing critique from a globally recognized figure can shift conversations.
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## đ Celebrity and the Responsibility to Speak Out
This episode raises a recurring question in modern public life: **Do celebrities have a responsibility to use their platform for advocacy or policy?**
Some argue yes â public figures can bring attention to issues that may otherwise be overlooked. Others counter that celebrities lack policymaking expertise and should stick to their art.
In Berryâs case, she isnât just an actress â she runs a health company focused on menopause care, which blurs the line between celebrity advocacy and personal investment.
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## 𧞠Final Thoughts: More Than Just a Roast
The moment Halle Berry critiqued Gov. Gavin Newsom was more than a heated soundbite. It intersected with:
* Womenâs healthcare advocacy
* Public policy debate
* Political ambition and perception
* The evolving role of celebrities in political discourse
Whether you agree with her stance or not, her comments brought **attention, debate, and scrutiny** to an issue that affects millions â and forced both political and public communities to reckon with it in new ways.
In a world where celebrity voices increasingly intersect with public policy, moments like this remind us that influence can come from unexpected places â and that public conversations often begin with individuals willing to speak boldly on complex issues.
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If youâd like a **balanced opinion section**, **timeline of reactions**, or **social media highlights**, just let me know!
[1]: https://www.breitbart.com/entertainment/2025/12/03/halle-berry-gavin-newsom-probably-should-not-be-the-next-president/?utm_source=chatgpt.com “Halle Berry: Gavin Newsom ‘Probably Should Not Be the Next President'”
[2]: https://people.com/halle-berry-criticizes-gavin-newsom-devaluing-women-shouldnt-be-president-11861847?utm_source=chatgpt.com “Halle Berry Draws Gasps for Saying Gavin Newsom Is ‘Devaluing’ Women and ‘Shouldn’t Be Our Next President’ Moments Before He Comes on Stage”
[3]: https://parade.com/news/halle-berry-stuns-with-rare-political-statement-should-not-be-our-next-president-just-saying?utm_source=chatgpt.com “Halle Berry Stuns With Rare Political Statement: ‘Should Not Be Our Next President, Just Saying’ – Parade”
[4]: https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/us/menopause-bill-veto-why-halle-berry-is-convinced-gavin-newsom-should-not-be-us-president/articleshow/125760500.cms?utm_source=chatgpt.com “Menopause Bill Veto: Why Halle Berry is convinced Gavin Newsom should not be US president – The Times of India”
[5]: https://www.breitbart.com/politics/2025/12/05/gavin-newsom-responds-to-halle-berry-saying-he-should-not-be-the-next-president/?utm_source=chatgpt.com “Gavin Newsom Lashes Out After Halle Berry Says He ‘Should Not Be the Next Presidentâ”
[6]: https://www.breitbart.com/entertainment/2026/02/04/halle-berry-doubles-down-on-view-that-gavin-newsom-probably-should-not-be-the-next-president-its-disturbing/?utm_source=chatgpt.com “Halle Berry Doubles Down on View that Gavin Newsom ‘Probably Should Not Be the Next President’: ‘It’s Disturbing'”
