Photos of a young Gavin Newsom have surfaced online that refute a claim he made during a book tour stop in Georgia earlier this week, during which he also remarked a mostly black audience that many viewed as highly racist.
When sharing a stage with Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens, Newsom said, “I’m not trying to impress you. I’m just trying to impress upon you, ‘I’m like you.’ I’m no better than you. I’m a 960 SAT guy.” But photos that have since surfaced on social media indicate that Newsom’s family was extremely privileged, well-to-do, and highly connected to people like the oil magnate Getty family.
Meanwhile, Newsom is also facing backlash after remarks he made about his SAT score.
Speaking Sunday night at an event promoting his forthcoming memoir, “Young Man in a Hurry,” Newsom reflected on his academic struggles and sought to draw a point of relatability.
In addition to his remark about his SAT score, Newsom added: “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 quickly sparked criticism online, with detractors arguing that Newsom’s attempt at self-deprecation veered into offensive territory.
Yeah….here is being featured in a “Children of the Rich” article.
All Greasy Gavin Newsom does is LIE. https://t.co/AU2vsa8kog pic.twitter.com/zG0p7AaSPj
— Kentucky Girl (@Notwokenow) February 23, 2026
Monday's cover: Critics blast Gov. Gavin Newsom's poor little rich guy book https://t.co/VQcCuQ3EQb
Subscribe for home delivery: https://t.co/CJX7yNWVCg pic.twitter.com/DGQRHzAzF8
— California Post (@californiapost) February 2, 2026
Warning: Strong language:
Gavin Newsom family buys $9M mansion in posh Marin town pic.twitter.com/hNLySvo90Q
— Clown World ™ 🤡 (@ClownWorld) November 18, 2024
Several prominent Republicans and commentators accused Newsom of perpetuating stereotypes.
Sen. Ted Cruz wrote that Newsom was engaging in “the soft bigotry of low expectations,” reposting a message from political scientist Carol M. Swain that read, “Liberal racism on display.”
Sen. Tim Scott criticized the governor on X, writing, “Black Americans aren’t your low bar. We’ve built empires, created movements, outworked, outhustled and outsmarted people like you.”
Rep. Randy Fine (R-Fla.) also weighed in, claiming Newsom had implied he was “like a black person because he got a bad SAT score and can’t read.”
Music artist Nicki Minaj criticized the governor as well, writing that his “way of bonding with black ppl is to tell them how stupid he is & that he can’t read.”
As President Donald Trump put a snarky post on Truth Social, “Wow! Gavin Newscum just dropped out of the Presidential Race!!!”
Gov. Newsom to a black crowd in GA: "I am like you. I'm a 960 SAT guy. I can't read." pic.twitter.com/4Gk0WKbIYz
— End Wokeness (@EndWokeness) February 23, 2026
The criticism spread rapidly across social media, with conservative commentators mocking the remarks and questioning Newsom’s political judgment as he is widely viewed as a potential 2028 Democratic presidential contender.
According to 2024 data from the College Board, the average SAT score for Black or African American test takers — who make up roughly 12% of participants — is 907 out of 1600. White test takers averaged 1083.
Newsom, 58, is a 1989 graduate of Santa Clara University. He has written in his memoir that he struggled academically and has spoken openly about dyslexia. He previously told The New York Times that he believes he was admitted to Santa Clara in part due to a partial baseball scholarship, downplaying the significance of a recommendation letter from former California Gov. Jerry Brown, who had appointed Newsom’s father to a state appellate judgeship.
“I don’t think it’s relevant at all,” Newsom said earlier this month regarding the Brown letter. “The ticket to Santa Clara came through the baseball, not anything else.”
After Fox News host Sean Hannity highlighted the controversy, Newsom fired back on X, referencing his dyslexia and accusing critics of selective outrage.
“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?” Newsom wrote. “Spare me your fake f—ing outrage, Sean.”
Sean Hannity is absolutely right! 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. https://t.co/9uwZ9kA7fr
— Tim Scott (@votetimscott) February 23, 2026
The episode adds to mounting scrutiny of the governor’s national profile as he continues to make appearances outside California and promote his book ahead of what many expect to be a larger role in Democratic politics.
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