ATLANTA — California Governor Gavin Newsom faced sharp backlash this week after comments he made to Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens during a promotional event for his upcoming memoir, in which he compared himself to the mayor by referencing his own SAT score. The exchange, which quickly went viral on social media, drew accusations of insensitivity and racism from critics across the political spectrum, particularly conservatives who labeled it an example of 'liberal racism.' Newsom, a potential contender for the 2028 Democratic presidential nomination, was speaking at a Sunday night gathering here to discuss his book, Young Man in a Hurry, set for release later this year.
The incident unfolded as Newsom addressed Dickens, who is Black, in what appeared to be an attempt to build rapport. According to video footage shared by Newsom's office on X, the former Monday morning, the governor said, “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.’ I’m a 960 SAT guy.” He continued, “And I’m not trying to offend anyone. I’m not trying to act all there if you got 940 … You’ve never seen me read a speech because I cannot read a speech.” The remarks referenced Dickens' own SAT score of 940, though it was unclear if the mayor had publicly shared that detail prior to the event.
Dickens, Atlanta's mayor since 2022, did not immediately respond to requests for comment on the exchange. The event was part of Newsom's book tour, which has included stops in several cities to highlight his personal story and political journey. Newsom, 58, has positioned the memoir as a candid look at his rise from a modest baseball scholarship student to the helm of the nation's most populous state.
The comments sparked immediate outrage online, with Republican lawmakers and commentators seizing on them as evidence of condescension. Florida state Rep. Randy Fine, a Republican known for his provocative social media posts, wrote on X, “Gavin Newsom just said he is like a black person because he got a bad SAT score and can’t read. I wish I could come up with something witty, but it’s so disgusting, I can’t. I look forward to all my Democrat colleagues in Congress demanding his resignation tomorrow.” Fine's post, which garnered thousands of likes and retweets, amplified the criticism within conservative circles.
Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, echoed the sentiment, accusing Newsom of engaging in “the soft bigotry of low expectations.” Cruz reposted a message from political scientist Carol M. Swain, who stated, “Liberal racism on display.” Swain, a conservative commentator and former Vanderbilt University professor, has frequently critiqued what she sees as patronizing attitudes toward minorities in Democratic politics. Her comment was part of a broader wave of posts that framed Newsom's words as stereotypical and harmful.
Even outside traditional political figures, the backlash extended to pop culture. Rapper Nicki Minaj, who had previously clashed with Newsom at an event last month, took to X to lambast him, writing, “His way of bonding with black ppl is to tell them how stupid he is & that he can’t read. This means my first read on him was correct. He’s been handed so many things & put in high positions he never earned or deserved.” Minaj's post, viewed millions of times, highlighted how the controversy resonated beyond partisan lines, tapping into frustrations about privilege and authenticity in leadership.
Conservative podcaster Stephen L. Miller added a satirical twist, sharing an image from the 1979 film The Jerk, featuring Steve Martin's character Navin Johnson declaring, “I was born a poor black child.” Miller captioned it, “Gavin Newsom rolling into 2028,” mocking the governor's presidential ambitions. The meme quickly spread, underscoring the viral nature of the clip, which had amassed over a million views by Tuesday afternoon.
To provide context, Newsom's SAT score revelation ties into his memoir's narrative about overcoming personal and academic hurdles. A 1989 graduate of Santa Clara University, Newsom has long credited a partial baseball scholarship for his admission rather than academic prowess. In the book, he claims the scholarship was the key factor, dismissing other influences. Earlier this month, in an interview with The New York Times, Newsom addressed a letter of recommendation from former California Gov. Jerry Brown, who had appointed Newsom's father as an appellate judge. “I don’t think it’s relevant at all,” Newsom said. “The ticket to Santa Clara came through the baseball, not anything else. And that was the point I was making in the book.”
The timing of the comments is notable amid ongoing debates about standardized testing and equity in education. According to 2024 data from the College Board, the average SAT score for Black or African-American test-takers, who comprise about 12% of participants, is 907 out of 1,600. In contrast, white test-takers averaged 1,083. Critics of Newsom's remarks pointed to these disparities, arguing that equating a low score with shared experience trivializes systemic issues faced by Black students, such as underfunded schools and test bias.
Newsom's office has not issued a formal statement on the controversy as of Wednesday evening, though the shared video on X appeared to counter narratives that the audience was exclusively Black. The clip shows a diverse crowd, including white attendees, laughing and applauding during the exchange. Spokespeople for the governor did not respond to multiple requests for comment from The Appleton Times.
This is not the first time Newsom has navigated racial sensitivities in his public life. As governor since 2019, he has championed policies like reparations task forces and criminal justice reforms aimed at addressing historical inequities in California. However, his national profile has invited scrutiny, especially as he eyes a potential White House run. Polls from early 2026 show Newsom leading early Democratic primary fields, but gaffes like this could alienate key voter bases.
Dickens, meanwhile, has focused his mayoral tenure on economic development and public safety in Atlanta, a city with a rich civil rights history. The mayor's office emphasized in a statement that the event was collaborative and forward-looking, but declined to delve into the personal anecdote. Atlanta, home to the Martin Luther King Jr. National Historical Park, remains a hub for discussions on race and politics, making the venue symbolically charged.
The viral spread of the video highlights the perils of off-the-cuff remarks in the social media era. What began as a lighthearted moment at a book promotion has snowballed into a national conversation about allyship, privilege, and the optics of political outreach. As Newsom continues his tour, including upcoming stops in New York and Los Angeles, observers will watch closely for how he addresses the fallout.
Beyond the immediate criticism, the episode raises questions about how Democratic leaders connect with diverse constituencies. Supporters of Newsom argue that his intent was to humanize himself, drawing from his own story of modest beginnings in San Francisco's political elite. Detractors, however, see it as tone-deaf, reinforcing stereotypes rather than bridging divides.
Looking ahead, the controversy could influence Newsom's memoir rollout and his positioning in the 2028 race. With the Democratic field still fluid—featuring figures like Vice President Kamala Harris and Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro—the governor's ability to weather this storm will be telling. For now, the debate rages on X and cable news, a reminder that in politics, words can propel or derail ambitions overnight.
In Atlanta, the Sunday event proceeded without apparent disruption, but the echoes of Newsom's words linger. As the city prepares for its annual Martin Luther King Jr. Day observances in January—though this incident occurred in February—the intersection of personal narrative and public policy remains a delicate balance for leaders like Dickens and Newsom alike.