Controversy Over Newsom’s SAT Remarks
California Governor Gavin Newsom’s recent comments regarding his low SAT scores and struggles with reading comprehension have sparked significant backlash, particularly from the chairman of the California Republican Party. The chairman contends that Newsom’s remarks reflect a troubling tendency among Democrats to speak condescendingly toward Black voters.
Colin Rankin, the first Black California Republican Party chairman, expressed disbelief over Newsom’s comments. “My first instinct was, I can’t believe the governor of California is saying this in 2026,” he told FOX News Digital.
This controversy gained traction when the conservative account End Wokeness shared a video clip of Newsom, which quickly garnered over 40 million views. Many conservatives interpreted Newsom’s comments as disrespectful to Black viewers, with some labeling them “racist.”
Rankin added, “I think he just turned himself in yesterday,” referring to Newsom’s future political ambitions. “This will haunt him for the rest of his career and what he considers a future career.”
In response, Newsom defended his comments on social media. He clarified that he was referring specifically to his dyslexia, not making a broader statement about intelligence. His spokesperson, Izzy Gurdon, claimed that the criticism was a “MAGA-orchestrated outrage” and noted that Newsom had discussed his dyslexia before, often in front of audiences.
Supporters of Newsom rallied on social media, emphasizing his struggles with dyslexia. Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens commented on the situation, asserting that Newsom’s remarks were not an attack but a moment of vulnerability about his personal journey.
Rankin, however, disagreed, suggesting that Newsom’s remarks stemmed from a belief in Black intellectual inferiority. He noted that Democrats have been criticized recently for opposing federal voter ID laws, further complicating the dialogue surrounding these issues.
“Specifically, do you know what Jim Crow is? The idea that Black people are intellectually inferior, that’s the idea that influenced Jim Crow,” Rankin said, critiquing the implications of Newsom’s comments. He expressed deep disappointment, stating that perpetuating such narratives is not only a lie but also deeply insulting. “He should be ashamed of himself,” Rankin concluded.
