Gavin Newsom is on a multi-state tour to promote his new memoir, Young Man in a Hurry, but a stop in Atlanta over the weekend generated viral backlash after remarks he made about his academic struggles and dyslexia.
Appearing Sunday evening at the Rialto Center for the Arts in conversation with Andre Dickens, Newsom appeared to attempt relatability via self-deprecation when asked what he hoped readers would take away from his book.
“I’m not trying to impress you,” Newsom said. “I’m just trying to impress upon you I’m like you. I’m no better than you. I’m a 960 SAT guy.”
He added, “I’m not trying to offend anyone — trying to act all there if you got 940.”
At another point, Newsom remarked, “You’ve never seen me read a speech, because I cannot read a speech. Maybe the wrong business to be in.”
The exchange drew laughter from the audience, but clips of the moment quickly spread online, where critics questioned his framing. According to 2024 data from the College Board, the average SAT score for black test-takers is 907 out of 1600, while the national average is 1024. Newsom’s reported score of 960 falls below the national average but above the average for black students.
Newsom has spoken publicly for years about living with dyslexia and has described challenges in school, including difficulty reading aloud in class. Supporters argue he was attempting to highlight perseverance despite learning differences. Critics, however, said the phrasing — particularly “I’m like you” paired with “I cannot read” — landed poorly given the demographics of the Atlanta audience.
Among those responding was rapper Nicki Minaj, who posted criticism of Newsom’s delivery and tone on X, suggesting the remarks were condescending.
The Atlanta event also carried political undertones. Earlier in the day, Newsom endorsed former Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms in her gubernatorial bid. The appearance was hosted by A Cappella Books and moderated by Dickens, blending literary promotion with political outreach in a key battleground state.
Questions about Newsom’s “regular guy” persona have surfaced before. His father, William Newsom, was a state appeals court judge who managed the Getty family trust. Philanthropist and businessman Gordon Getty helped finance Newsom’s first business venture, the PlumpJack wine shop, which later expanded into a hospitality group. Critics argue his background make portrayals of himself as an outsider or everyman absurd.
Newsom’s spokesperson dismissed the backlash as politically motivated, calling it “MAGA-manufactured outrage” and insisting that the governor has shared his SAT score and dyslexia story with a variety of audiences over the years.
Newsom himself responded forcefully to criticism from Sean Hannity on X, telling him to “spare me your fake fucking outrage” and pivoting to attacks on President Donald Trump.
As Newsom’s book tour continues, including upcoming stops in South Carolina and New York, the Atlanta remarks have underscored the challenges of balancing vulnerability, biography, and political messaging.
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