California Governor Gavin Newsom is under fire after a viral video showed him telling Atlanta’s Black mayor he’s “like you” while discussing his poor academic performance during a recent book tour event.

The Controversial Comments

Speaking to Mayor Andre Dickens at Atlanta’s Rialto Center for the Arts, Newsom said he wasn’t trying to impress anyone but wanted to show he was “just like you” and “no better than you.” The governor then revealed he scored 960 on the SAT and struggles with reading speeches due to his dyslexia. Critics interpreted these remarks as condescending toward Black voters, particularly given the context of discussing poor test scores.

Fox News contributor Joe Concha called the comments “disqualifying” and suggested they should be used in campaign ads against Newsom’s expected presidential run in 2028. The incident has sparked debate about whether the governor’s attempt at relatability crossed into inappropriate territory when addressing a Black audience.

Defense and Pushback

Newsom’s spokesperson, Izzy Gardon, dismissed the criticism as manufactured outrage, noting the governor has discussed his dyslexia and low SAT scores publicly for years with various audiences. The response also referenced previous attacks on Newsom’s learning disability and criticized those making the accusations. Mayor Dickens defended Newsom on social media, emphasizing that context matters and describing the governor’s comments as a moment of vulnerability about his academic struggles.

Political Implications

The controversy comes as Newsom, widely considered to have White House ambitions, continues his national book tour and raises his profile outside California. The incident highlights the challenges politicians face when attempting to connect with diverse audiences, particularly around sensitive topics involving race and academic achievement. Dickens urged people to watch the full conversation rather than judge based on clips, noting that Atlanta residents don’t need others telling them when to be offended.