Newsom finally shines a light on the masculinity crisis. How will men respond? | Opinion
California Gov. Gavin Newsom has been busy reinventing himself one podcast at a time, but he’s starting to get settled on something that actually might resonate with a lot of Americans: Getting real about the dwindling number of men inclined to vote for the Democratic Party.
Newsom finally made a direct plea to men and boys recently by issuing an executive order for his administration to engage with them by identifying civic volunteer opportunities, expanding mental health support, and recruiting more male teachers and school counselors.
The governor’s announcement felt like a birthday gift, as I have wanted him to make such a gesture since he started his unannounced presidential campaign.
I have been a glutton for punishment since January, when Newsom began his “This is Gavin Newsom” podcast. Every single podcast, I hoped to see this liberal leader stand up to the crazy conservative crowd, but he failed each episode. Instead of seeming outraged by the likes of Steve Bannon and Charlie Kirk, he was curious, even finding common ground with some of their conservative views, such as the idea that transgender athletes should not be allowed to compete in girls’ sports. Newsom said he thinks it’s “deeply unfair.”
Newsom could have displayed what it means to be a strong man with liberal views but didn’t, at first. And that continued as he went around the country campaigning and being a guest star on podcasts like the “Shawn Ryan Show.” Ryan is a former U.S. Navy SEAL and CIA contractor.
“Where the heck are all the liberal men?” I thought as I watched Newsom gallivanting across the country.
Lately, Newsom has been saying what he should have said all along.
“Too many young men and boys are suffering in silence — disconnected from community, opportunity, and even their own families,” Newsom said in a press release last week. “This action is about turning that around. It’s about showing every young man that he matters and there’s a path for him of purpose, dignity, work, and real connection.”
There is a dire need for Democrats to remember that they need to reverse the trend of men, particularly young men, moving to the right politically. More Democrats need to demonstrate that they care about the mental health struggles and loneliness that men experience.
In his news release, Newsom cited statistics showing that since 1990, there have been rising rates of men with few close friends, increased joblessness among men between the ages of 25 and 54, and declining college enrollment and graduation rates for men.
Maybe this is Newsom finally realizing that men, as a voting bloc, are still up for grabs. They don’t have to be lured away by the MAGA crowd. Democrats have all but left men behind. Newsom’s gesture tells them that they can still be part of the party.
Creating space for men
The GOP’s 2024 presidential election campaign was a big tent—wide open to men, especially white men. From the late Hulk Hogan to the mixed martial arts crowd, right-leaning podcasters, NFL football, and more, men were the focus of Trump’s bid for the presidency. Yet, with all the testosterone that money can buy, Trump still pulled a higher share of the women’s vote. According to the Pew Research Center, 46% of women voted for Trump in 2024, compared with 44% in 2020.
Trump also created space for conservative women, whereas Democrats have not created a space for liberal men to exist in.
Going just beyond the conservative male gaze that is perputated by podcasts is Newsom’s best bet of actually reaching men. Telling them they are deserving of a good life where they can get the education that they desire, friends that love them a place that accepted is a good start.
It’s time for Democrats to invite men.
This story was originally published August 6, 2025 at 5:00 AM.
