California Governor Gavin Newsom recently found himself in the crosshairs of conservative media after making remarks to a predominantly Black audience, where he mentioned his personal challenges with reading and his low SAT score. The controversy was ignited when Fox News host Sean Hannity accused Newsom of racism, suggesting that Newsom was comparing himself to Black Americans by referencing his 960 SAT score. Hannity’s comment, shared on the platform X, provoked a fiery response from Newsom, who criticized Hannity for his past defense of former President Donald Trump, particularly in relation to a video Trump shared that depicted Barack Obama in a derogatory manner.

Newsom responded sharply to Hannity’s accusation, questioning the sincerity of his outrage. “You didn’t care when the President of the United States posted an offensive video of President Obama or used derogatory language about African nations, but you’re calling me racist for discussing my lifelong battle with dyslexia?” Newsom retorted. “Save your faux outrage, Sean.” The governor’s remarks came during an event in Atlanta, Georgia, where he was promoting his memoir, “Young Man in a Hurry.” During the event, he addressed his dyslexia, stating, “I’m not here to impress you. I’m here to impress upon you. I’m like you. I’m no better than you.”

Newsom further elaborated, saying, “I’m a 960 SAT guy… you’ve never seen me read a speech because I can’t read a speech.” This statement caught the attention of rapper Nicki Minaj, a known Trump supporter, who criticized Newsom for allegedly pandering to Black voters. Minaj claimed that Newsom was essentially calling the audience “stupid” by slowing down his speech to make it more comprehensible, likening it to speaking to children. Her remarks suggested that Newsom’s approach was condescending and misguided.

Newsom’s spokesperson responded to conservative outrage by telling the Daily Mail: ‘First MAGA mocked his dyslexia and now they’re calling him racist for talking about his low SAT scores. This is fake MAGA-manufactured outrage.’ ‘The Governor has said this publicly for years — including with Charlie Kirk and dozens of other audiences. The same people who excused or ignored Trump’s racist ape video can go [expletive] themselves.’ Other conservative media personalities also piled on Newsom for sharing his difficulties reading. ‘This clip will haunt him forever,’ wrote former Fox News anchor Megyn Kelly.

Conservative firebrand Mark Levin claimed, ‘If any Republican said what this moron Newscum said, their political careers would be over. Let’s see how the Democrats and their media react.’ Newsom is widely viewed as a leading contender for the Democratic presidential nomination in 2028, as the party searches for direction following defeat in 2024. Prediction markets and early Democratic voter polling show Newsom leading the field, along with former Vice President Kamala Harris. His latest memoir, Young Man in a Hurry, will be released on Tuesday. The governor’s book tour has upcoming stops in major blue states, including California and New York. The book traces Newsom’s political rise in California as the mayor of San Francisco, while also providing a candid account of his childhood.