Halle Berry's Passionate Speech on Menopause Leads to Quick Action Within 24 Hours

California Governor Gavin Newsom quickly adjusted his position on a menopause bill after actress Halle Berry publicly criticized his previous vetoes. The conflict began on Wednesday, December 3, when Berry accused Newsom of devaluing women and questioned his suitability for a future presidential run.

Governor Responds Following Berrys Criticism

After Berry's remarks, a representative for Governor Newsom explained his perspective. They stated that the governor valued Berry's advocacy and was collaborating with her to address the matter. The representative clarified that the bill had initially been vetoed to avoid unintentionally increasing healthcare costs for working women and families already under financial strain.

Newsom later confirmed to reporters at Newark International Airport that the situation had been misunderstood. He revealed that the menopause bill had already been included in the states 2026 budget, information Berry had not previously known.

Clearing Up Misunderstandings

Sources connected to Newsoms office indicated that he had intended to announce the bills inclusion in the budget on January 10, 2026. However, Berrys public criticism accelerated the announcement to avoid misinterpretation of his actions.

Berrys Powerful Address

At The New York Times Dealbook Summit, Berry passionately condemned Newsom for vetoing the menopause bill twice. She emphasized that women, who make up half the population, were being overlooked and implied that this raised questions about his presidential ambitions.

Berry also discussed the societal pressure on women to appear youthful, sharing her own experience of being judged at 59. She highlighted the stigma surrounding aging women and the unrealistic expectation to maintain a perpetually young appearance.

Newsoms Potential Presidential Ambitions

Berrys criticism came shortly after Newsom mentioned he might consider running for president following the 2026 midterms. In an October interview with CBS News, he acknowledged the challenges of a potential 2028 bid and stressed that his current priority was advancing Proposition 50, which could temporarily alter U.S. House district boundaries in California.

Berrys Ongoing Menopause Advocacy

Halle Berry has been a long-term advocate for menopause awareness. She founded Respin Health, a platform designed to educate women about menopause, provide a space to share experiences, and foster community support. Berry stressed the importance of shifting the conversation around menopause and shared her own discovery of perimenopause at age 54, which came without prior medical warning.

Author: Aiden Foster