Gavin Newsom sought to identify himself with a predominantly black audience because of his poor academic performance and dyslexia
California Governor Gavin Newsom has drawn sharp backlash after telling an Atlanta audience, “I’m like you,” while describing his low SAT score and reading difficulties, remarks critics have interpreted as an ill-judged attempt to connect with black voters.
Newsom, widely discussed as a potential candidate for the 2028 US presidential election, made the comments during an appearance aimed at engaging African-American voters.
Newsom was in Georgia to promote his memoir, ‘Young Man in a Hurry’ as part of a multi-state book tour that is adding to speculation about a possible 2028 presidential campaign. During a Sunday conversation with Andre Dickens, Atlanta’s mayor, Newsom was asked what he hoped readers would take from the book.
“I’m not trying to impress you,” he said, adopting a self-deprecating tone. “I’m just trying to impress upon you I’m like you. I’m no better than you. I’m a 960 SAT guy,” he added, referring to what is considered a low score on a college entrance exam.
The governor went on to talk about his dyslexia and difficulties with reading.
“You’ve never seen me read a speech, because I cannot read a speech. Maybe the wrong business to be in.”
His attempt at self-deprecating humor was met with laughter, and Dickens nodded as the governor spoke. Video of the exchange, later shared widely on social media, has since garnered tens of millions of views.
Critics online questioned Newsom’s decision to cite his SAT score before an audience in a city that is nearly half black. The SAT, a standardized US college admissions exam scored from 400 to 1,600, had a 2024 national average of 1,024, according to the College Board. The average for black test-takers was 907.
US President Donald Trump’s campaign accused Newsom of calling “black people dumb.”
“Newsom Thinks a 960 SAT Makes Him ‘Like’ Black Americans. Let That Sink In,” political commentator Sean Hannity posted on X.
Newsom fired back: “You didn’t give a sh*t about…Trump posting an ape video of Obama or calling African nations sh*tholes — but you’re going to call me racist?” He added, “Spare me your fake f**king outrage, Sean.”
A similar controversy echoes a 2019 gaffe by then-candidate Joe Biden. Speaking at an Asian and Latino Coalition PAC event in Iowa, Biden said, “poor kids are just as bright and just as talented as white kids,” prompting criticism that he had framed intelligence in racial terms.
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