Newsom slammed for ‘racist’ comment to Black Atlanta mayor
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California’s Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom, who is widely believed to have ambitions for the White House, is facing backlash over a viral clip in which critics depicted him speaking condescendingly to Black voters while citing poor test scores and his ability to read.
“I’m, you know, I’m not trying to impress you, I’m just trying to impress you, I’m like you. I’m not better than you,” Newsom told Mayor Andre Dickens at a book tour event at the Rialto Center for the Arts in Atlanta, Georgia, on Sunday.
“You know, I’m a guy with a 960 SAT score. And, you know, I’m not trying to offend anyone, ‘I’m trying to act there if you get a 940,’ Newsom continued. “A guy with a 960 SAT score, really, you’ve never seen me read a speech. Because I can’t read a speech. Maybe it’s the wrong business to be in.”
First the clip sent End Wokeness, by the conservative influencer account, was viewed more than 20 million times after it was posted Sunday, with many conservatives suggesting Newsom’s comment was “racist.”
NEWSOM SAYS ‘FATE’ WILL DETERMINE IF HE FACES HARRIS IN THE 2028 PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION
California Governor Gavin Newsom looks on during the signing of a bill to redraw the state’s congressional maps on August 21, 2025 in Sacramento, California. (Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)
Rapper Nickii Minaj said, “The way to connect with black people is to tell them how stupid you are and how you can’t read.” Published on X. “Want to know the craziest part of this image that will haunt him forever? He literally slows down his speech and speaks at an occasional tempo.”
Conservative influencer account LibsofTikTok “I can’t believe this is real” Published on X. “Where do BLM and Democrats blame this racism?”
“He said that to denigrate black people,” said Jennifer Sey, Founder and CEO of XX-XY Athletics. Published on X. “Could it get any more racist? Is it really truly racist?”
GOP Sen. Ted Cruz: “The soft bigotry of low expectations” Published on X
NEWSOM CONFRONTED WITH CALIFORNIA BECOMING THE ‘HIGHEST COST OF LIVING’ COUNTRY IN THE USA, IN THE ENVIRONMENT OF THE ELIGIBILITY CRISIS
“This is disqualifying,” Fox News correspondent Joe Concha said Published on X. “Run this ad repeatedly in 2027-2028…”
“California governor Gavin Newsom is telling black listeners that he is just like them, has a 960 SAT score and cannot read or write,” Outkick founder Clay Travis said. Published on X. “Will Democrats who plan to run in 2028 attack him on this? He should, it’s a stupid statement.”
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California Governor Gavin Newsom speaks at the Munich Security Conference on Friday, February 13, 2026, in Munich, Germany. (Johannes Simon/Getty Images)
Conservative radio host Mark Levin said, “If any Republicans say what this moron Newscum said, their political careers are over.” Published on X. “Let’s see how the Democrats and their media react.”
Political commentator Carol Swain “Liberal racism on display” Published on X
Newsom’s office defended his comments in a statement to Fox News Digital.
“At first MAGA made fun of his dyslexia, and now they’re calling him a racist for talking about his low SAT scores. This is a MAGA-manufactured insult,” Newsom spokeswoman Izzy Gardon said.
“The governor has made this public for years, including to Charlie Kirk and dozens of other viewers. The same people who excused or ignored Trump’s racist monkey video can go fuck themselves.”
Fox News Digital has reached out to the Atlanta mayor’s office for comment.
Newsom, who is on the road to promote his new memoir “Young Man in a Hurry,” is seen as one of the top candidates for the Democratic 2028 presidential nomination, as most experts believe he has his eyes on the White House.
