California’s liberal governor shocks CNN viewers with unexpected remarks on America’s “crisis of men.”
California Gov. Gavin Newsom stunned audiences Sunday during an appearance on CNN’s State of the Union, admitting that Democrats have “walked away” from addressing what he called a growing crisis among men and boys in America.
“I say this as a Democrat—we need to own up to the fact that we ceded that ground,” Newsom told host Jake Tapper. “We walked away from this crisis. President Trump saw it as an opportunity, but we’ve done nothing to fix it. The struggles that men face are very real.”
Newsom Admits Democrats Ignored Men’s Struggles
Newsom pointed to skyrocketing rates of male suicide, school dropouts, and disciplinary suspensions, calling the trend “off the charts.” He warned that ignoring these problems could cost Democrats politically — and morally.
“This is something our party must face,” Newsom said. “We can’t afford to lose these men and boys, not just for votes, but for the sake of our values. Women deserve better men, and that means we need to step up.”
Acknowledging Conservative Voices
In an unexpected twist, Newsom referenced Turning Point USA founder Charlie Kirk, who was tragically shot and killed at a campus event earlier this year. The governor said Kirk recognized the frustration many young men feel.
“Charlie was organizing around this issue before anyone noticed,” Newsom admitted. “A lot of Democrats didn’t even know who he was. I told them, ‘Your sons know who Charlie Kirk is.’”
During a podcast discussion between Newsom and Kirk back in March 2025, the two even found common ground on fairness in women’s sports. When Kirk asked if Newsom would oppose biological males competing in female athletics, the Democrat surprisingly agreed.
“I think it’s an issue of fairness,” Newsom said. “I completely agree — it’s deeply unfair.”
A Rare Moment of Honesty
During the CNN segment, Newsom urged Democrats to stop dismissing the problems facing American men as “right-wing talking points.”
“It’s not a zero-sum issue,” he said. “This defines our politics, our families, and our culture. Democrats have been too slow to see that.”
A Shift in the Political Landscape
Newsom’s comments mark a rare admission from a top Democrat that Trump-era populism tapped into real frustrations among working-class men. His words may signal that even left-leaning leaders are being forced to acknowledge what conservatives have warned about for years — that America’s men are being left behind.
