Baseball player Tommy Pham responds to Gavin Newsom’s comments about the SATs

Tommy Pham expressed his displeasure on Wednesday regarding Gavin Newsom’s recent remarks about his SAT scores.

The former Padres player seemed to aim for relatability with his largely Black following by posting a clip of the California governor on his Instagram Story, where he mentioned his own solid SAT results.

During a weekend discussion with Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens, Newsom remarked, “I’m not trying to impress you. I’m just showing you that I’m just like you. I’m not better than you,” while also noting his SAT score of 960.

In the caption of the post, Pham stated that he “cannot relate” to what Newsom said.

“I was an honor roll student and did well on my SATs,” the 12-year MLB veteran continued. “He thinks Black people are stupid.”

Pham also shared another clip in which Newsom mentioned, “I once read a 260-page book in an hour and a half.”

Pham wasn’t alone in his response; various Republicans, as well as rapper Nicki Minaj, voiced their dissatisfaction with Newsom’s comments.

Minaj remarked, “His way of bonding with Black people is to tell them how stupid and illiterate he is,” also noting that, “He literally speaks slower to make them understand the words coming out of his mouth!!!!” She added, “As if they were kids!!!! He really believes they’re slow. He’s not just saying it and he didn’t say it wrong!!!! He believes it!!!! Do you love it?”

In response, Newsom defended himself on his social media, explaining that his comments were meant to express “my lifelong struggle with dyslexia.”