Photo: Johannes Simon / Getty Images News / Getty Images
California Gov. Gavin Newsom is pushing back after conservative media outlets and right-wing commentators accused him of making racially insensitive remarks during a recent book tour stop — a claim his team and several voices say distorts the full context of what he said.
The controversy stems from comments Newsom made Sunday evening (February 22) while appearing in conversation with Atlanta Mayor Andrew Dickens as part of promotional events for his new memoir, Young Man in a Hurry, which details his personal and political journey, including his lifelong struggle with dyslexia.
During the discussion, Newsom attempted to connect with the audience by referencing his academic history.
“I’m not trying to impress you. I’m just trying to impress upon you, I am like you. I am no better than you. I am a 960 SAT guy. And I’m not trying to offend anyone, [or] act all there if you got 940. But literally a 960 SAT guy. You have never seen me read a speech, because I cannot read a speech,” he said.
Clips of that exchange quickly circulated online, with several conservative commentators framing the remark as racially coded. Fox News’ Sean Hannity wrote on X, “@GavinNewsom Thinks a 960 SAT Makes Him ‘Like’ Black Americans. Let That Sink In.” The New York Post and other right-leaning outlets amplified similar interpretations. Rapper Nicki Minaj also weighed in on social media, writing that Newsom’s comment suggested his “way of bonding with black ppl is to tell them how stupid he is & that he can’t read.”
Newsom, who has spoken publicly for years about being diagnosed with dyslexia as a child, pushed back.
“You didn’t give a sh*t about the President of the United States of America posting an ape video of President Obama or calling African nations sh*tholes — but you’re going to call me racist for talking about my lifelong struggle with dyslexia?” Newsom wrote in response to Hannity. “Spare me your fake f**king outrage.”
Newsom’s communications director, Izzy Gardon, also addressed the backlash, calling it “MAGA-manufactured outrage” and noting that the governor has referenced his SAT score and reading challenges in past interviews across a range of audiences, including conservative platforms.
The governor’s memoir, set for release this week, includes reflections on his academic struggles and how dyslexia shaped his confidence and communication style. Newsom has previously discussed learning to memorize speeches because reading verbatim from prepared text is difficult for him.
Still, some Democrats acknowledged that while they do not believe Newsom intended harm, the phrasing of his remarks left room for misinterpretation.
CNN political commentator and former South Carolina lawmaker Bakari Sellers wrote on X, “Dems must stop doing dumb shit. I have my issues with @GavinNewsom but he’s the furthest thing from a racist. His story about overcoming dyslexia is powerful and endearing, one I wish he’d lean into more. His remarks show a blindness and were inartful. But leave it there. Donald Trump is racist. Gavin is not.”
Other voices echoed that distinction.
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