Halle Berry has no qualms about addressing her gripes with how women are treated in Hollywood and America as a whole, and that includes the role of powerful political figures like California Gov. Gavin Newsom.
While speaking at The New York Times’ DealBook Summit on Wednesday, Berry directly called out Newsom for vetoing the Menopause Care Equity Act — AB 432 — for the second year in a row. Berry, who founded the menopausal care company Respin, personally backed the bill and called Newsom’s veto for the second year in a row an insult to women’s health.
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Halle Berry speaks onstage during The New York Times DealBook Summit 2025
“At this stage in my life, I have zero f—s left to give,” Berry told the crowd, per The Hollywood Reporter. “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 okay, because 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.”
Her words reportedly drew gasps from the audience, particularly since Newsom was scheduled to appear at the Dealbook Summit later that afternoon.
Entertainment Weekly has reached out to Newsom’s reps for comment.
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The Menopause Care Equity Act would have made it easier for women to receive medical treatments to address the effects of menopause, per Politico Pro. After casting his veto in October, Newsom said his decision stemmed from the same reasoning as last year: the mandate for insurance plans to cover menopause-related treatments with few limits was “too far-reaching.”
He shared a similar sentiment in a statement responding to Berry’s comment to PEOPLE. “The governor has deep admiration for Ms. Berry’s advocacy and looks forward to working with her and other stakeholders on this critical issue. He shares her goal of expanding access to menopause care that too many women struggle to get,” a spokesperson for Newsom told the outlet.
“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,” the spokesperson added.
The statement concluded: “We’re confident that by working together this year, we can expand access to essential menopause treatment while protecting women from higher bills.”
David Dee Delgado/Getty
Gavin Newsom speaks onstage during The New York Times DealBook Summit 2025
When Newsom’s term ends in January 2027, he’s unable to run again due to term limits. The governor has hinted at a presidential run as recently as October, when he told CBS News Sunday Morning that he will consider whether to run for president after the 2026 midterm elections.
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