California Governor Gavin Newsom is confronting significant backlash following remarks he made about his lifelong struggle with dyslexia during a promotional event for his new memoir in Atlanta, Georgia. The incident has ignited a fierce debate, with critics accusing the Democratic leader of attempting to appeal to black voters by highlighting his academic challenges.
Event Sparks Immediate Controversy
Newsom attended the event on Sunday to promote his forthcoming book, Young Man in a Hurry, as speculation intensifies regarding a potential presidential run in 2028. When questioned about his dyslexia, the governor responded candidly, stating, "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." He further elaborated, "You know, I'm a 960 SAT guy...you've never seen me read a speech because I cannot read a speech."
Nicki Minaj Leads Criticism
Rapper Nicki Minaj, a vocal supporter of former President Donald Trump, swiftly responded to a clip of the exchange. She claimed Newsom was trying to connect with black voters by telling "them how stupid he is & that he can’t read." Minaj also accused the governor of deliberately slowing his speech, using a "sporadic cadence" to make his words more understandable, as if addressing children.
"He’s not just TELLING them that they’re all probably stupid & probably can’t read, he’s LITERALLY SLOW-ING-DOWN-HIS-SPEECH to make them understand the words that are coming out of his mouth!!!! As if they’re children!!!!" Minaj wrote in her social media post.
Conservative Media Joins the Fray
Other conservative figures quickly piled on the criticism. Former Fox News anchor Megyn Kelly declared, "This clip will haunt him forever," while conservative commentator Mark Levin asserted, "If any Republican said what this moron Newscum said their political careers would be over. Let’s see how the Democrats and their media react."
Newsom's Office Fires Back
Newsom's spokesperson responded to the right-wing outrage by telling the Daily Mail, "First MAGA mocked his dyslexia and now they’re calling him racist for talking about his low SAT scores. This is fake MAGA-manufactured outrage." The spokesperson added, "The Governor has said this publicly for years — including with Charlie Kirk and dozens of other audiences. The same people who excused or ignored Trump’s racist ape video can go f**k themselves."
Political Implications for 2028
Newsom is widely viewed as a leading contender for the Democratic presidential nomination in 2028, as the party seeks new direction following the 2024 election defeat. Prediction markets and early Democratic voter polling show Newsom leading the field of potential contenders, alongside former Vice President Kamala Harris.
His latest memoir, Young Man in a Hurry, which traces his political rise as mayor of San Francisco and provides a candid account of his childhood, is set for release on Tuesday. The governor's book tour includes upcoming stops in major blue states, including California and New York.
The controversy highlights the intense scrutiny facing potential presidential candidates and raises questions about how personal narratives are perceived in the highly charged political landscape.
