Gov. Gavin Newsom and Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens pushed again Monday on conservatives who accused the California governor of racism and bigotry for feedback he made whereas selling his new ebook.
Newsom spoke Sunday with Dickens in entrance of a packed auditorium, reflecting on his educational challenges. “I am not making an attempt to impress you, I am simply making an attempt to impress upon you I am such as you, I am not higher than you,” Newsom stated. “I am a 960 SAT man and you recognize, I am not making an attempt to offend anybody — you recognize — making an attempt to behave all there in case you bought 940 — however actually, a 960 SAT man. You have by no means seen me learn a speech as a result of I can not learn a speech. Perhaps the improper enterprise to be.”
His remarks went viral, largely amplified by conservatives and Republican elected officers who claimed Newsom’s remarks had been racist as a result of he was chatting with a Black elected official. Fox Information host Sean Hannity shared the clip and stated Newsom “Thinks a 960 SAT Makes Him ‘Like’ Black Individuals.”
Newsom replied: “You did not give a s*** concerning the President of the US of America posting an ape video of President Obama or calling African nations s***holes — however you are going to name me racist for speaking about my lifelong battle with dyslexia? Spare me your pretend f****** outrage, Sean.”
Newsom was referring to a video shared on President Trump’s Fact Social account depicting former President Barack Obama and former first woman Michelle Obama as apes. After bipartisan backlash, the White Home deleted the put up and stated a staffer had “erroneously made the put up.”
Republican Sen. Tim Scott, one of many first conservatives to talk out in opposition to Mr. Trump’s social put up, stated Monday that “Newsom suffers from the ‘bigotry of low expectations’ and I for one am uninterested in Democrats (together with the likes of Kathy Hochul and Joe Biden) stereotyping Black individuals.” He admonished Newsom for “utilizing your mediocre teachers as a method to patronize communities.”
Newsom’s communications director stated in a press release: “First MAGA mocked his dyslexia and now they’re calling Gavin Newsom a racist for speaking about his low SAT scores. That is pretend MAGA-manufactured outrage.”
Dickens shared his perspective on the dialog in a social put up on Monday, writing, “Take it from somebody who was truly within the chair asking the questions: context issues greater than a headline.” He stated the 2 had been discussing Newsom’s educational struggles, together with his SAT efficiency. “That wasn’t an assault on anybody,” he stated. “It was a second of vulnerability about his personal journey.”
“We have gotten so used to loud, chest-pounding politics that when somebody speaks about shortcomings, individuals attempt to twist it into one thing else,” Dickens stated. “Let me be clear although. That is Atlanta. We do not want anybody to inform us when to be offended. And historical past has proven … once we are, you may know.”
Newsom’s workplace stated the governor has made comparable remarks about his SAT scores and dyslexia “for years, together with with Charlie Kirk and dozens of different audiences.”
When requested final 12 months by “CBS Sunday Morning” final 12 months whether or not he is contemplating a presidential bid, Newsom stated: “The concept that a man who bought 960 on his SAT, that also struggles to learn scripts, that was at all times at the back of the classroom — the concept that you even throw that out is in and of itself extraordinary. Who the hell is aware of? I am trying ahead to who presents themselves in 2028 and who meets that second, and that is the query for the American individuals.”
The governor kicked off his ebook tour over the weekend, with stops in key states the place he’ll want assist if he launches a 2028 presidential marketing campaign. Stops included Tennessee, Georgia and South Carolina on Monday. He is anticipated to go to New Hampshire in March.
