In early March, Gov. Gavin Newsom (D-CA) broke with his party on transgenderism after he said biological men playing in women’s sports leagues are “deeply unfair.” A Washington Examiner review of California grant records, however, shows that Newsom’s administration spent roughly $5 million on programs supporting youth transgenderism between 2022 and 2024.

Projects supported by the Newsom administration included directly funding so-called gender-affirming care for youth, directing vulnerable youth toward transgender resources, and providing funding to organizations that administer sex-change treatments to minors. Political observers who think Newsom is attempting to adopt a more centrist image believe he is doing so with an eye on the presidency in 2028.