California Governor Gavin Newsom (D) is currently on a promotional tour for his memoir, “Young Man in a Hurry, a Memoir of Discovery.” Yeah, I know, but that’s really the title.
While the title may sound intriguing, let’s not pretend that the tour is solely about the book; it’s more about his ambitions for a presidential run in 2028. He’s making stops in key states like New Hampshire and Georgia, aiming to connect with potential voters.
However, after listening to him, I recognized that he faces a challenge similar to the one Kamala Harris encountered in her early days. The more he speaks, the more issues tend to arise. Although he doesn’t often fall into the trap of “word salad,” he does have a knack for making comments that don’t do him any favors. For instance, he struggled to grasp the meaning of “historically illiterate” and even mentioned being unsure of how to retrieve his birth certificate.
In a candid moment, he also shared that one of his sons expressed a desire for him not to run for president, citing his young age. While Newsom insisted that his family’s feelings would influence his decision, he didn’t rule out a potential candidacy.
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He stirred up a storm with his comments made in Georgia on Sunday during a discussion about his book with Mayor Andre Dickens. While talking about his dyslexia, he mentioned that he wasn’t trying to win over the black mayor or the audience. That’s when he crossed the line, and his remarks quickly went viral.
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
“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,” Newsom said to Dickens.
“And I’m not trying to offend anyone and 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 the speech. Maybe the wrong business to be in.”
Hoo, boy.
Many critics interpreted the remark as pandering — and, to some, racially insensitive. They questioned whether the comment implied assumptions about intelligence or education, asking why the speaker paired “I’m like you” with a reference to not being able to read.
The episode also prompted broader discussion online about presidential qualifications, including whether the comment — even if intended as humor — was appropriate. Some users questioned whether the claim itself was factual.
The controversy spread quickly across social media platforms, where reactions to the remark were largely negative and widely shared.
Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX) called him out for the “soft bigotry of low expectations,” while political scientist Carol Swain posted, “Liberal racism on display.” Nicki Minaj ripped him too, “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.”
We’ve seen this problem from Democrats in the past, including the perception that black people somehow aren’t able to get an ID. There were things like this infamous comment from Joe Biden.
“Poor kids are just as bright and just as talented as white kids” – Joe Biden https://t.co/tpbrdO8cy0 pic.twitter.com/SpdkJLmOX6
— jay plemons (@jayplemons) February 23, 2026
The Newsom team mounted a defense, arguing that Republicans were resorting to the “race card” and asserting that Newsom had previously mentioned the low SAT score to Charlie Kirk.
Why do Republicans always play the race card? The Governor told Charlie Kirk the same thing — literally. More than a year ago. pic.twitter.com/5wgFBontYd
— Governor Newsom Press Office (@GovPressOffice) February 23, 2026
In the clip they shared, Newsom didn’t actually say, “I’m like you.” Instead, he asked Kirk about his SAT score, showing that he didn’t assume it was low.
