Gavin Newsom Admits Democrats Have Lost Touch with Men and Boys [WATCH]

California Governor Gavin Newsom called on Democrats to confront what he described as a growing “crisis of men and boys,” acknowledging that his party has “ceded that ground” to conservatives.

Speaking Sunday on CNN’s State of the Union with host Jake Tapper, Newsom said Democrats have been too slow to recognize and address issues affecting men, including mental health and educational challenges.

“I say this as a Democrat: We need to own up to the fact that we ceded that ground. We walked away from this crisis of men and boys,” Newsom said.

“Trump saw it as an electoral opportunity to exploit it, but he’s done nothing to deliver in terms of results to address those anxieties, which are real.”

Newsom cited rising suicide rates, school dropout rates, and suspension rates among men as evidence of a worsening trend.

“This is an issue our party needs to address. We can’t afford, from an electoral perspective, to lose these folks. But we also can’t on the basis of our values and what we claim to care about and represent, and I say that on behalf of women that need better men,” he added.

Newsom on Democrats’ struggles with young men: “We need to own up to the fact that we ceded that ground.” pic.twitter.com/sGJbJl6YDP

— State of the Union (@CNNSOTU) November 9, 2025

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The California governor also referenced the late Turning Point USA founder Charlie Kirk, noting his ability to connect with younger men through activism and cultural outreach.

“Charlie was organizing around it. People weren’t aware of what Turning Point USA was,” Newsom said.

“I talked to so many Democrats who said, ‘Who’s Charlie Kirk?’ I said, ‘Well, your son knows about him.’”

Kirk, who was shot and killed during a campus event in September, had been a central figure in conservative youth organizing for more than a decade.

His efforts to engage young men through political and social issues made Turning Point USA one of the most influential conservative movements among college students and recent graduates.

Newsom and Kirk had previously appeared together on a podcast in March 2025, where they discussed topics ranging from education to gender policy.

During that conversation, the two found limited common ground on the issue of biological males competing in women’s sports.

Kirk asked the governor directly, “You, as the governor, should step out and say no. Would you do something like that? Would you say no men in female sports?”

“Well, I think it’s an issue of fairness,” Newsom responded.

“I completely agree with you on that. It’s deeply unfair.”

Will Governor Gavin Newsom EVER say “No Men in Women’s Sports?”

I asked him. pic.twitter.com/xVlJSag0Bq

— Charlie Kirk (@charliekirk11) March 6, 2025

In his interview with Tapper, Newsom said Democrats must take the masculinity issue seriously both politically and socially.

“It’s a real issue. Democrats need to understand it not as a zero-sum issue, but an issue that defines not just our politics, but I think, defines our families, our relationships, defines the culture in this moment,” he said.

The governor’s remarks mark one of the most direct acknowledgments by a prominent Democrat that the party has lost influence among younger men.

Recent polls have shown a widening gender gap in voter alignment, with many young men gravitating toward conservative and populist messages that emphasize discipline, accountability, and purpose.

Newsom’s comments also reflect growing concern among Democratic strategists that cultural issues—rather than purely economic ones—are shaping voter sentiment in ways that the party has struggled to address.

His recognition of Kirk’s impact signals a rare moment of bipartisan acknowledgment following months of heightened cultural debate surrounding gender, education, and political identity.

As the 2026 midterm cycle approaches, Newsom’s comments suggest Democrats may attempt to reclaim ground among male voters who have increasingly supported conservative movements over the past decade.

Whether his message will resonate within his own party remains uncertain, but the governor’s remarks indicate a shift in tone from a prominent figure within the Democratic establishment.