Gavin Newsom Gets Brutal News After ‘Racist’ Video

California Gov. Gavin Newsom is facing intensifying backlash after comments about his SAT score — delivered during a public event promoting his forthcoming memoir — ignited a political firestorm over the weekend.

Speaking Sunday evening alongside Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens, Newsom attempted to frame his academic struggles as a point of relatability while discussing his book Young Man in a Hurry.

“I’m not trying to impress you, I’m just trying to impress upon you, ‘I’m like you. I’m not better than you.’ I’m a 960 SAT guy,” Newsom said.

“And I’m not trying to offend anyone,” he added. “I’m not trying to act all there if you got 940 … You’ve never seen me read a speech because I cannot read a speech.”

The remarks quickly went viral, drawing sharp criticism from conservatives who argued the governor’s attempt at self-deprecation crossed into offensive territory.

GOP Pushback: “Soft Bigotry of Low Expectations”

Sen. Ted Cruz accused Newsom of engaging in what he described as “the soft bigotry of low expectations,” reposting a message from political scientist Carol M. Swain that read, “Liberal racism on display.”

Sen. Tim Scott issued a pointed rebuke on X, writing, “Black Americans aren’t your low bar. We’ve built empires, created movements, outworked, outhustled and outsmarted people like you.”

Rep. Randy Fine also weighed in, claiming Newsom had implied he was “like a black person because he got a bad SAT score and can’t read.”

Music artist Nicki Minaj added her voice to the criticism, writing that Newsom’s “way of bonding with black ppl is to tell them how stupid he is & that he can’t read.”

President Donald J. Trump also entered the fray, posting on Truth Social: “Wow! Gavin Newscum just dropped out of the Presidential Race!!!”

The episode spread rapidly across social media, with conservative commentators questioning Newsom’s political instincts as speculation grows that he could seek the Democratic nomination in 2028.

The Data and the Defense

According to 2024 figures from the College Board, the average SAT score for Black or African American test takers — who account for roughly 12 percent of participants — was 907 out of 1600. White test takers averaged 1083.

Newsom, 58, graduated from Santa Clara University in 1989. In his memoir, he recounts academic struggles and has spoken publicly about being diagnosed with dyslexia. Earlier this month, he told The New York Times that he believed his admission to Santa Clara was largely due to a partial baseball scholarship, minimizing the role of a recommendation letter from former California Gov. Jerry Brown.

“I don’t think it’s relevant at all,” Newsom said regarding the Brown letter. “The ticket to Santa Clara came through the baseball, not anything else.”

After Sean Hannity highlighted the controversy, Newsom fired back on X, invoking his dyslexia and accusing critics of selective outrage.

“You didn’t give a s— about the President of the United States of America posting an ape video of President Obama or calling African nations s—holes — but you’re going to call me racist for talking about my lifelong struggle with dyslexia?” Newsom wrote. “Spare me your fake f—ing outrage, Sean.”

A National Spotlight — and Growing Scrutiny

Newsom’s office has not issued a broader formal response to the backlash.

The controversy comes as the California governor expands his national footprint, appearing at events across the country and promoting his book amid mounting speculation about his future ambitions within the Democratic Party.

For critics, the episode underscores what they see as a recurring pattern: progressive leaders attempting to signal relatability while stepping into politically damaging territory. For supporters, it reflects a personal story of overcoming learning challenges.

Either way, the viral moment has added fresh scrutiny to Newsom’s messaging — and to his prospects on a national stage.