Gavin Newsom’s attempt to bond with a Black audience by boasting a low SAT score and dyslexia backfired spectacularly, igniting racism charges that could derail his 2028 presidential dreams.
Story Snapshot
- Newsom told Atlanta crowd, “I’m like you… I’m a 960 SAT guy… I can’t read,” sparking instant backlash as patronizing.
- Event tied to 2026 book tour amid 2028 ambitions; critics call it elitist “poorigin story” from a rich kid.
- Black Atlanta mayor’s uncomfortable reaction went viral, amplifying conservative mockery.
- Nicki Minaj and Ted Cruz slammed the gaffe; no apology from Newsom as of February 23, 2026.
- Parallels Biden’s race gaffes, reinforcing Democrat condescension narrative.
Event Unfolds in Atlanta
California Governor Gavin Newsom spoke at a book tour event in Atlanta on February 22, 2026. A predominantly Black audience and Black moderator listened as Newsom tried to connect. He declared, “I’m like you… I’m a 960 SAT guy… I can’t read,” referencing his dyslexia and actual SAT score. The line aimed to show humility but landed as implying shared academic deficits. The Atlanta mayor’s priceless grimace captured the room’s discomfort.
Clips spread rapidly on X starting February 23 via accounts like @EndWokeness and @ChuckRossDC. Conservative outlets labeled it a “racist bomb.” Newsom positioned himself as “not better than you,” but critics saw pandering from an affluent Bay Area elite.
Newsom’s Pattern of Relatability Struggles
Newsom’s dyslexia is real; he memorizes speeches to cope. Yet this marks another race-relatability flop. Past tales of childhood “hustlin'” with mac and cheese drew sneers as fabricated poverty. The Atlanta stop linked to a fundraiser for Keisha Lance Bottoms’ gubernatorial bid. Critics mock his book promotion, claiming he “probably hasn’t read” it himself.
Precedents echo loudly. Joe Biden’s 2020 “you ain’t Black” quip and 2019 “poor kids are just as bright as white kids” line parallel this. Kathy Hochul’s claim that Black kids lack computers fits the pattern. Newsom’s French Laundry COVID hypocrisy underscores elitism charges that common sense conservatives find disqualifying.
Stakeholders React Swiftly
Nicki Minaj questioned Democratic loyalty, accusing Newsom of MAGA-style rhetoric hypocrisy. Senator Ted Cruz condemned it as condescension implying Black inadequacies. Dom Lucre and Sean Hannity amplified the outrage. Newsom’s team offered no defense; conservative influencers drove the narrative in this Democratic stronghold.
Power tilted against Newsom. High-profile Democrat versus viral right-wing X accounts. Black Atlanta voters appeared patronized, fueling claims of “soft bigotry of low expectations.” Facts align with conservative views: elites feigning struggle insults real hardships.
Backlash Peaks Without Response
By February 23, 2026, viral clips dominated X. Hannity Show and JFeed sustained racism accusations. No Newsom rebuttal emerged. Defenders might call it self-deprecating humor, but full context remains cringeworthy. Sources note possible editing, yet the gaffe stands.
Conservative pundits deem it performative empathy failure and “political malpractice.” Limited liberal pushback in available data underscores one-sided amplification. This aligns with American conservative values prizing authenticity over scripted vulnerability.
Political Fallout Looms Large
Short-term damage hits Newsom’s 2028 viability; critics declare him “COOKED.” It reinforces elitist narratives amid California’s homelessness and energy crises. Long-term, it may linger in primaries unless overshadowed. Politically, it boosts Democrat condescension tropes; socially, it deepens race divides.
Book tours face heightened scrutiny as 2028 positioning tools. Conservative media gains traction exploiting such blunders. Black communities see patronization; national ambitions suffer. Common sense dictates: true leaders earn rapport through actions, not awkward analogies.
Sources:
Watch: Newsom Accidentally Drops Racist Bomb
Gav Accused of Racism After Book Tour Blunder, ‘Bonding’
Gavin Newsom’s Dyslexia Controversy