Newsom’s Controversial Remarks Spark Backlash

California Governor Gavin Newsom faced criticism on Monday over comments he made regarding Atlanta’s black mayor, Andrew Dickens. During a recent event, Newsom commented on Dickens’ SAT score of 960, suggesting it was linked to dyslexia and implying that it reflected a lack of literacy.

This statement was made at a gathering called “An Evening with Gavin Newsom and Andre Dickins,” where the governor was promoting his memoir, “Youth in a Hurry.” Newsom mentioned, “I’m just trying to impose that I’m just like you. I’m a 960 SAT guy, and I can’t read a speech.” He seemed to convey that his own struggles with reading were something they could share, albeit in a rather awkward way.

In response, Republican Senator Ted Cruz accused Newsom of displaying what he termed “soft bigotry.” Additionally, rapper Nicki Minaj reacted strongly, suggesting that Newsom was essentially insulting the intelligence of the audience by speaking slowly, implying he thought they couldn’t comprehend his words.

Newsom later dismissed the criticism as a manufactured outrage. He mentioned an incident involving President Obama, questioning why his remarks about dyslexia were receiving such backlash. “Forgive me for your false bullshit,” he said, defending himself against accusations of racism.

According to data from the College Board, the average SAT score for Black students in the U.S. was 907 in 2024, while white students averaged 1,083. Newsom discussed his own educational journey in his memoir, highlighting a partial basketball scholarship that helped him attend Santa Clara University, a detail that is somewhat overshadowed by his connection to former Governor Jerry Brown.

Looking ahead, Newsom has hinted at a possible bid for the 2028 Democratic presidential nomination, indicating that early polling shows a competitive landscape between him and Vice President J.D. Vance.