Gavin Newsom’s SAT Comments Spark Racial Controversy During Memoir Tour

California Governor Gavin Newsom, widely regarded as a potential 2028 presidential contender, has found himself at the centre of an intense political firestorm following comments made during his national book tour for his new memoir, ‘Young Man in a Hurry: A Memoir of Discovery.’

While appearing alongside Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens during a February promotional event, Newsom attempted to foster relatability by referencing his lifelong struggle with dyslexia and his academic history. ‘I’m not trying to impress you, I’m just trying to impress upon you I’m like you, I’m not better than you,’ Newsom stated during the event. ‘I’m a 960 SAT guy. And you know, I’m not trying to offend anyone — you know — trying to act all there if you got 940 — but literally, a 960 SAT guy.’

Also Read

IEA releases record oil reserves to counter Iran war energy shock

What No One Tells You About Social Security Timing

Oil Underinvestment Could Hinder US’ Iran-Crisis Response: Here’s Why

Plugin developed by ProSEOBlogger. Get free gpl themes.

He claimed it was in his bid to relate to the average American. Those words were picked up by critics, particularly the Republicans. They contended that it was offensive to suggest that, like Dickens, Black Americans are not so successful in school.

The Controversy Behind the SAT Score Comments

The remarks were swiftly amplified by conservative commentators and political rivals, who accused the governor of perpetuating racial stereotypes by invoking his academic struggles while appearing with a prominent Black official. Critics, including South Carolina Republican Senator Tim Scott, characterised the comments as an example of the ‘bigotry of low expectations,’ arguing that the governor was patronising Black Americans by implying their academic success might be lower.

The backlash prompted a sharp response from Newsom and his office, who decried the criticism as ‘MAGA-manufactured outrage.’

In a heated post on X, the governor emphasised that his comments were a sincere reflection of his personal challenges with dyslexia—a subject he has addressed publicly for years across diverse audiences—rather than a veiled critique of any specific demographic.

One of the prominent black senators replied that Black Americans have managed to create empires and accomplish big things despite being under stereotypes.

‘Black Americans aren’t your low bar,’ (R) South Carolina Sen. Tim Scott, who is Black, wrote on social media. ‘We’ve built empires, created movements, outworked, outhustled and outsmarted people like you. Stop using your mediocre academics as a way to patronise communities. It’s ridiculous!’ he continued.

Politicians Haranguing on Social Media

Scott’s tirades didn’t end there. ‘Gavin Newsom suffers from the “bigotry of low expectations” and I for one am tired of Democrats (including the likes of Kathy Hochul and Joe Biden) stereotyping Black people,’ he posted another update.

‘Gavin Newsom brought out the tired, old, raggedy race card. The contrast is clear: While President Trump believes in the American people, Gavin Newsom says Black people can’t read,’ said Scott.

Likewise, Mississippi Governor Tate Reeves joined in the poking, saying ‘This seems like a good time to remind you that a black student in Mississippi is 2.5X more likely to read proficiently by 4th grade than if he or she lived in California. We would be happy to send one of our reading coaches to assist you, Gavin Newsom. Learning is a lifelong journey, and you might achieve some of the gains that our black fourth graders have.’

‘Incidentally, one nice feature of increased literacy is that you do not have to fall back on vulgarity to seem passionate. Let me know!’ the governor posted, pointing at Newsom’s cursed words on X.

Newsom’s team pushed back. They insisted that he did not mean to demean anyone with what he said.

In another post, Newsom published an update, ‘You didn’t give a shit about the President of the United States of America posting an ape video of President Obama or calling African nations shitholes.’

‘You’re going to call me racist for talking about my lifelong struggle with dyslexia? Spare me your fake fucking outrage,’ Newsome posted on X.

Dickens even defended Newsom, claiming that the governor was being vulnerable and not attacking anyone.

‘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,’ Dickens posted on Instagram.

‘We’ve gotten so used to loud, chest-pounding politics that when someone speaks about shortcomings, people try to twist it into something else,’ the mayor said.

Newsom was also defended by other Black Democrats who noted that he has always supported LGBTQ+ rights and struggled with dyslexia.

Political strategists believe that any publicity, including controversial is beneficial to a presidential candidate. Newsom’s camp was proud of its dominance in the press, particularly on the day of Trump’s State of the Union address.

In-House Dissent

At home in California, Democrats are furious over recent statements by Newsom. In an interview with CNN, he noted that the Democratic Party was too culturally abnormal and that attention should have been focused on pronouns and identity politics.

The California Legislative LGBTQ Caucus came out immediately, threatening to make such language a way to alienate minority groups. They stressed that California development is based on struggle, not retreat, in the struggle for rights.

‘It’s deeply concerning for anyone, especially our elected leaders, to be defining who or what is ‘culturally normal.’ By definition, it implies someone else is ‘not normal,’ the group said in a statement.

Other advocates, such as Lindsey Cobia, a senior adviser, underscore Newsom as an LGBTQ+ advocate by claiming that he had earlier supported same-sex marriage and other rights. However, critics state that his remarks on transgender athletes in his podcast last year appeared to be politicking to attract moderates. This has caused strife in his own party.

Critics question Newsom’s presence on a book tour amid California’s severe problems. Some believe the tour can be a political calculation by him to increase his profile before a national campaign.

As he continues to navigate high-profile national dialogues, the governor remains focused on his legislative record and his memoir’s deeper themes of resilience and discovery. For supporters, the tour is a necessary step in humanising his public image, while for critics, it represents a calculated manoeuvre that invites intense debate over his fitness for the national stage.

Originally published on IBTimes UK