As conservatives accuse Newsom of bigotry, California governor's office slams "MAGA-manufactured outrage"
CBSN
Gov. Gavin Newsom and Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens pushed back Monday on conservatives who accused the California governor of racism and bigotry for comments he made while promoting his new book. In:
Gov. Gavin Newsom and Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens pushed back Monday on conservatives who accused the California governor of racism and bigotry for comments he made while promoting his new book.
Newsom spoke Sunday with Dickens in front of a packed auditorium, reflecting on his academic challenges. "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 said. "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. You've never seen me read a speech because I cannot read a speech. Maybe the wrong business to be."
His remarks went viral, largely amplified by conservatives and Republican elected officials who claimed Newsom's remarks were racist because he was speaking to a Black elected official. Fox News host Sean Hannity shared the clip and said Newsom "Thinks a 960 SAT Makes Him 'Like' Black Americans."
Newsom replied: "You didn't give a s*** about the President of the United States of America posting an ape video of President Obama or calling African nations s***holes — but you're going to call me racist for talking about my lifelong struggle with dyslexia? Spare me your fake f****** outrage, Sean."
Newsom was referring to a video shared on President Trump's Truth Social account depicting former President Barack Obama and former first lady Michelle Obama as apes. After bipartisan backlash, the White House deleted the post and said a staffer had "erroneously made the post."













