California Governor Gavin Newsom has recently drawn attention after stating in an interview with conservative commentator Charlie Kirk that he no longer supports men participating in women’s sports, marking a potential shift from his previous positions. However, contributions from high-profile donors, including George and Alex Soros as well as Nancy and Paul Pelosi, have cast doubt on whether Newsom’s policy views have genuinely moderated.
According to California state records, George Soros, a prominent financier and philanthropist, has been a consistent supporter of Newsom since 2013. His son, Alex Soros, who now leads the Soros family’s influential network, has also contributed to Newsom’s campaigns.
The Soros family is closely associated with the Open Society Foundations, an organization known for advocating progressive causes. A statement on the Open Society Foundations’ website highlights their support for transgender inclusion in sports, noting, “This exposes trans youth to exclusion, discrimination, and abuse. Day-to-day impacts include being excluded from single-sex schools and gender-segregated activities such as sports teams or school camps.” The group argues that barring transgender youth from participating in sports aligned with their gender identity increases risks of violence and bullying.
State records further reveal donations to Newsom from former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and her husband, Paul Pelosi. Notably, Nancy Pelosi’s contribution originated from her congressional campaign funds, signaling strong political alignment. Pelosi has publicly championed transgender participation in sports, as evidenced by a post on X where she wrote, “Today, I spoke on the Floor to affirm that every child, regardless of gender identity, deserves a chance to be part of a team. Republican’s dangerous bill puts transgender kids in harm’s way and puts Politics Over Participation.”
Newsom’s own record complicates his recent claims. In June 2022, he voiced support for transgender athletes on X, criticizing restrictive policies in other states: “FL signs into law the ‘Don’t Say Gay’ bill. TX wants to open child abuse investigations into families that provide gender-affirming care to trans children. TN pulls funding from schools that allow transgender students to play sports. And we wonder why there’s a rise in hate?” Additionally, in 2023, Newsom signed legislation reinforcing transgender rights in California public schools. A press release accompanying the bills highlighted measures such as AB 5, which mandates LGBTQ+ cultural competency training for educators, SB 857, establishing a task force to address LGBTQ+ student needs, and AB 223, ensuring confidentiality for minors petitioning to change their gender and sex identifiers.
Critics argue that Newsom’s donor relationships and legislative history undermine his recent statements on men in women’s sports. While the governor’s comments to Kirk suggest a pivot, his longstanding ties to progressive figures and policies paint a more consistent picture. As Newsom navigates his political future, these contradictions are likely to remain under scrutiny.
The post Newsom’s Donors Raise Questions About Shift In Policy Stance appeared first on Loomered.
