Media Critique on Gavin Newsom’s Comments
On Monday, Fox News political analyst Britt Hume expressed that the media’s reaction would be more severe if a Republican had made comments similar to those of California Governor Gavin Newsom in Atlanta.
Newsom, while speaking to Atlanta’s Democratic Mayor Andre Dickens, mentioned his personal struggles with dyslexia and revealed his SAT score of 960. This was viewed as inappropriate given the context of addressing a Black mayor.
“We definitely consider this through the lens of potential presidential candidates. If it were a Republican, the response would likely be quite different,” host Bret Baier remarked on “Special Report with Bret Baier.”
“Oh, come on, Brett, you know that,” Hume responded. “If a Republican had said this, it would have easily been labeled as racist. The media typically doesn’t let that slide for Republicans.”
In October, Newsom indicated on CBS that he might pursue the Democratic presidential nomination for 2028 after the midterm elections in 2026. During an interview, reporter Robert Costa pointed out that Newsom’s visit to South Carolina had a feel of him announcing a candidacy.
Hume labeled Newsom’s remarks as a gaffe that inadvertently made him appear to call himself “some kind of idiot,” while also possibly mischaracterizing those he was addressing.
“The event took place in Atlanta,” Baier added. “It wasn’t a predominantly Black gathering, as has been suggested. The audience was more mixed, but the comments seemed directed toward both his interviewer and Atlanta’s residents.”
“That’s what I picked up on too, Brett. It felt like a slip, as if he was saying, ‘I’m just an ordinary guy, like all the others who struggle.’ I don’t think that’s what he truly meant. He was referencing his lifelong battle with dyslexia, which he’s probably managed to some extent,” Hume noted.
“He was discussing trying to read speeches, which is understandably tough for him. But it certainly was a blunder, and now, of course, his office insists that his words are being twisted and misinterpreted. If he had the chance for a do-over, he would have phrased it differently.”
In response, Newsom’s office contested the criticism, alleging that his critics were manipulating his comments regarding dyslexia and SAT scores for their own ends. Spokesperson Izzy Gurdon stated, “Initially, they ridiculed his dyslexia, and now they’re accusing him of racism for discussing his low SAT scores. This is manufactured outrage from MAGA supporters.”
