Gov. Gavin Newsom (D-CA) found himself at the center of a racism controversy this week after comments he made to a black audience in Atlanta drew sharp criticism from conservative media figures and celebrities alike.
Newsom attended an event in Atlanta, Georgia, on Sunday to promote his upcoming memoir, “Young Man in a Hurry,” which is scheduled for release Tuesday.
The event took place as speculation continues to mount that Newsom is positioning himself for a potential 2028 presidential run.
During the Atlanta appearance, Newsom was asked about his lifelong struggle with dyslexia.
In response, Newsom told the audience: “I’m not trying to impress you. I’m just trying to impress upon you. I’m like you. I’m no better than you.”
Newsom continued: “You know, I’m a 960 SAT guy… you’ve never seen me read a speech because I cannot read – a speech.”
Fox News primetime host Sean Hannity responded to the remarks on X, writing: “Thinks a 960 SAT Makes Him ‘Like’ Black Americans. Let That Sink In.”
Newsom fired back at Hannity directly with a profanity-laced response on social media, referencing President Donald Trump’s recent social media activity.
“You didn’t give a sh** 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.
Newsom closed his response to Hannity by writing: “Spare me your fake f**king outrage, Sean.”
Rapper and outspoken Trump supporter Nicki Minaj also weighed in on the controversy, claiming Newsom was attempting to appeal to black voters by telling “them how stupid he is & that he can’t read.”
Minaj went further, accusing the governor of deliberately altering his speaking style during the remarks.
“He’s not just TELLING them that they’re all probably stupid & probably can’t read, he’s LITERALLY SLOW-ING-DOWN-HIS-SPEECH to make them understand the words that are coming out of his mouth!!!! As if they’re children!!!!” Minaj wrote.
Former Fox News anchor Megyn Kelly also weighed in on the controversy, writing: “This clip will haunt him forever.”
Conservative commentator Mark Levin added: “If any Republican said what this moron Newscum said, their political careers would be over. Let’s see how the Democrats and their media react.”
Newsom’s spokesperson pushed back on the wave of criticism in a statement to the Daily Mail, saying: “First MAGA mocked his dyslexia and now they’re calling him racist for talking about his low SAT scores. This is fake MAGA-manufactured outrage.”
The spokesperson continued: “The Governor has said this publicly for years — including with Charlie Kirk and dozens of other audiences. The same people who excused or ignored Trump’s racist ape video can go f**k themselves.”
Newsom is widely regarded as a frontrunner for the 2028 Democratic presidential nomination, as the Democratic Party works to rebuild following its 2024 election losses.
Early Democratic voter polling and prediction markets place Newsom at or near the top of potential 2028 contenders, alongside former Vice President Kamala Harris.
His memoir, “Young Man in a Hurry,” chronicles his political ascent through California, beginning with his tenure as mayor of San Francisco, and also includes a personal account of his childhood. His book tour has upcoming stops scheduled in California and New York.
