Gavin Newsom Gets TORCHED For SAT Score Remark

Gavin Newsom’s attempt to “relate” to voters in Atlanta backfired fast—feeding the same soft-bigotry accusations Democrats keep pretending don’t exist.

Story Snapshot

California Gov. Gavin Newsom’s Atlanta book-tour remarks about his dyslexia and a 960 SAT score went viral and drew accusations of racial condescension.
Critics argued Newsom’s wording implied low test scores and reading struggles were a point of connection with a largely Black audience.
Newsom’s office dismissed the backlash as “fake MAGA-manufactured outrage,” saying he has shared similar personal details for years.
The controversy lands as Newsom clashes with the Trump administration amid federal scrutiny of California programs and broader political polarization.

Atlanta remarks ignite a familiar “soft bigotry” debate

Gavin Newsom spoke in Atlanta during a stop on his book tour for Young Man in a Hurry: A Memoir of Discovery, appearing alongside Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens. Newsom referenced his dyslexia and described himself as “a 960 SAT guy,” adding he wasn’t “trying to offend anyone” and gesturing at someone with a “940.” The clip circulated widely on X, where conservative figures interpreted the moment as patronizing—especially given the setting and audience.

Several prominent conservatives and Trump-aligned voices framed the comments as an example of Democrats lowering expectations, a critique often summarized as the “soft bigotry of low expectations.” In the reporting, critics argued the phrasing sounded like Newsom was linking educational struggle with race, rather than simply recounting his own background. The source material does not document broader community reaction beyond the partisan online dispute, so the measurable real-world impact in Atlanta remains unclear.

Newsom’s office calls it “manufactured outrage” and points to past remarks

Newsom’s press office pushed back, arguing the outrage was contrived and noting he has discussed dyslexia and his SAT score publicly for years, including in past appearances. That defense is plausible on its face: a long-standing personal anecdote is different from a brand-new line crafted for one crowd. Still, the political problem is practical, not academic—national figures are judged by how their words land, and viral clips reward the harshest interpretation.

The response also escalated the temperature rather than lowering it. According to the reporting, Newsom’s team used aggressive language toward critics while arguing they had ignored or excused past controversies involving President Trump. The statement’s tone became part of the story, not just the substance. For voters who want leaders focused on competence and restraint, that kind of messaging can read less like clarification and more like damage control.

Why this moment matters beyond a single viral clip

The Atlanta incident sits inside a bigger political picture: Newsom is approaching the end of his gubernatorial tenure and continues to be mentioned as a potential future national candidate. That makes every public appearance feel like an audition. Joe Concha, cited in the reporting, argued the clip could be politically “disqualifying” and suggested it has the kind of simplicity that campaign ads love—short, sharp, and easy to replay in 2027 or 2028.

At the same time, Newsom has tried to position himself as a leading Trump antagonist, even taking swings at the president during the Atlanta event. The Los Angeles Times coverage places the governor amid broader fights between California Democrats and the Trump administration, including federal fraud scrutiny of California programs and political disputes surrounding those allegations. Analyst Dan Schnur described the fraud narrative as having been “weaponized into a partisan issue,” underscoring how quickly every controversy becomes nationalized.

What conservatives should watch next

Two realities can be true at once: Newsom may genuinely be open about dyslexia and academic struggles, and the phrasing can still sound condescending when delivered in a politically charged setting. The available reporting does not establish intent beyond Newsom’s stated desire to be relatable, and it does not show any formal investigation or institutional fallout tied to these specific Atlanta remarks. For now, the story is about perception, politics, and a media ecosystem built to amplify friction.

Conservative voters who care about equal treatment under the law and respect for everyday Americans should focus on the pattern revealed by these episodes: when Democrats get caught sounding dismissive, the reflex is often to accuse critics of bad faith instead of addressing why the message landed poorly. With President Trump back in office and federal scrutiny intensifying around California governance, Newsom’s national profile is likely to keep rising—along with the stakes of every off-the-cuff line.