MAGA Accuses Gavin Newsom Of Being A Racist Bigot

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Marijan Murat/picture alliance via Getty Images

What to Know

01 California Governor Gavin Newsom is currently promoting his new memoir, "Young Man in a Hurry."
02 At an event in Atlanta, he referred to himself as "a 960 SAT guy" and said he can't read speeches due to his dyslexia.
03 MAGA conservatives like Nicki Minaj and Sean Hannity called the comments racist.

Gavin Newsom is currently promoting his new book, and comments he made at a recent event have sparked some pretty intense backlash. The California governor was talking about his SAT score and struggles with dyslexia when he said, “I’m like you. I’m no better than you,” and talked about how he can’t read a speech because he’s living with dyslexia.

But when clips started circulating online, some people (including MAGA conservatives like Nicki Minaj) accused Newsom of being racist.

While in conversation with Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens, Newsom spoke about how living with dyslexia has impacted him.

The comments have gone viral, not because of their relatability, but because some people have accused him of bigotry. Newsom said, “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. You know, I’m a 960 SAT guy. And I’m not trying to offend anyone, you know, trying to act all there if you got 940. Literally, a 960 SAT guy. I cannot — you’ve never seen me read a speech, because I cannot read a speech. Maybe the wrong business to be in. My dyslexia, I haven’t overcome dyslexia. I’m living with it.”

The clip started circulating on social media, with some people calling it racist.

Minaj, who is a proud fan of President Donald Trump and a vocal critic of Newsom, shared her thoughts on X. She wrote, “His way of bonding with black ppl is to tell them how stupid he is & that he can’t read. This means my first read on him was correct. He’s been handed so many things & put in high positions he never earned or deserved.” Minaj also accused Newsom of speaking differently at the event. “Do you wanna know the craziest part of this footage that will haunt him forever?” she continued. “He’s literally slowing his speech down & talking in a sporadic cadence. 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!!!! That means he REALLY BELIEVES they’re slow. He’s not just saying it—he didn’t misspeak!!!! He BELIEVES it!!!! Do ya love it?!?!! Do ya just love it, black ppl?!????”

She’s not the only person who made these kinds of accusations. Sean Hannity also wrote, “.@GavinNewsom Thinks a 960 SAT Makes Him ‘Like’ Black Americans. Let That Sink In.”

Dickens defended Newsom.

As the moderator of the conversation with Newsom, Dickens took to Instagram to address the controversy and provide some context to those who may have just seen edited clips on social media. “Take it from someone who was actually in the chair asking the questions: context matters more than a headline,” Dickens wrote. “The conversation around his new book included him speaking about his own academic struggles, including not doing well on the SAT. That wasn’t an attack on anyone. It was a moment of vulnerability about his own journey.”

Later in the post, he added, “Let me be clear though. This is Atlanta. We don’t need anyone to tell us when to be offended. And history has shown… when we are, you’ll know. If you want the full context, watch the full clip, read the book, and engage the complete conversation.”

Newsom’s communications director also addressed the backlash, calling it “fake MAGA-manufactured outrage,” per CBS News. In a statement, the communications director said, “First MAGA mocked his dyslexia and now they’re calling Gavin Newsom a racist for talking about his low SAT scores.”

Paige Sheffield (she/her)