California Governor Gavin Newsom has directly confronted critics who accused him of implying black Americans are unintelligent following remarks he made on Monday at an event promoting his memoir.
During a speech shared with Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens, Newsom stated: “I’m like you. I’m no better than you, you know. I’m a 960 SAT guy.” He added, “You’ve never seen me read a speech because I cannot read a speech.”
Critics argued the comment suggested diminished intelligence among black Americans. Texas Senator Ted Cruz labeled Newsom’s remarks as displaying “the soft bigotry of low expectations,” while South Carolina Senator Tim Scott urged him to cease using his academic background to patronize communities. Music star Nicki Minaj criticized the governor’s approach, stating it was an attempt to “tell them how stupid he is” and “that he can’t read.”
The exchange intensified when Fox News host Sean Hannity posted: “Thinks a 960 SAT Makes Him ‘Like’ Black Americans. Let That Sink In.” Newsom responded on X by referencing Hannity’s deleted post from the White House, where the host had previously shared an ape video of President Obama and referred to African nations as “shtholes.” His reply read: “You didn’t give a sht about the President of the United States of America posting an ape video of President Obama or calling African nations shtholes… But you’re going to call me racist for talking about my lifelong struggle with dyslexia? Spare me your fake fcking outrage, Sean.”
Newsom, 58, is widely considered a leading candidate for the Democratic presidential nomination in 2028. He has previously engaged in two extended discussions with Hannity and moderated a debate against Florida Governor Ron DeSantis. The governor was diagnosed with dyslexia at age five.
