Newsom Remarks Fuel Viral Controversy During Book Tour
A viral clip of Gov. Gavin Newsom referencing dyslexia and saying he 'cannot read a speech' drew criticism during a book tour tied to a Feb. 24 release.
Western JournalAfter Viral Clip Goes Sour, Reporter Asks for Newsom's Dyslexia Diagnosis, Gets Typical Response From Gov's Team
Daily BeastGavin Newsom Dunks on Trump With Fox News Clip
The Post MillennialTate Reeves slams California’s poor reading scores compared to Mississippi after Gavin Newsom tells black crowd he ‘can’t read a speech’
Washington ExaminerNewsom office tells reporter to 'f*** off' for question on dyslexia diagnosis
Overview
Gov. Gavin Newsom posted a clip on X mocking President Trump’s reading and wrote 'Jesse, you already have one' in response to Fox host Jesse Watters.
A separate clip showing Newsom telling Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens he was a '960 SAT' student and that he 'cannot read a speech' surfaced while he promoted his memoir tied to a Feb. 24 release.
Conservative figures and the California GOP chair called the remarks patronizing or racist, Rep. Randy Fine and others criticized Newsom, and spokesman Izzy Gardon called the backlash 'MAGA-manufactured outrage,' while Mayor Andre Dickens defended him.
The clip has been viewed roughly 20 million to more than 40 million times on X, and Newsom’s tour began Feb. 21 in Nashville with appearances scheduled through March 3 in Los Angeles.
Newsom’s office drew further scrutiny when a staffer told a reporter to 'respectfully, f*** off' when asked for paperwork verifying his dyslexia diagnosis, and the controversy comes as he is considered a possible 2028 presidential candidate.
Analysis
Center-leaning sources frame the story as conservative performative outrage, emphasizing Newsom's long-standing dyslexia context and including his office's 'MAGA-manufactured outrage' line. Editorial choices—headline placement, selective quotes (Newsom's retort; mayor's defense), and added context about prior remarks and a book tour—minimize opposing perspectives.
FAQ
Governor Newsom made comments during a book tour event in Atlanta on Sunday, February 23, 2026, while discussing his memoir 'Young Man in a Hurry.' During a conversation with Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens, Newsom discussed his personal struggles with dyslexia, mentioning that he had difficulty reading and scored 960 on his SAT. The comments were made while he was promoting his new book, which was set to be released on February 24, 2026. According to Mayor Dickels, the conversation was meant to be a moment of vulnerability about his own academic journey rather than a commentary on others.
Conservative commentators and Republican figures, including California GOP Chair Corrin Rankin, interpreted Newsom's remarks as patronizing to Black audiences. They argued that by discussing his reading difficulties and low SAT score while speaking to Atlanta Mayor Dickens, Newsom was implying that Black Americans are intellectually inferior. GOP Chair Rankin stated that the comments reflected a broader pattern of Democrats speaking to Black voters in a condescending manner. President Trump's political operation accused Newsom of calling 'Black people dumb,' while other prominent figures like former Fox News host Megyn Kelly and Senators Tim Scott and Rick Scott criticized the remarks.
Newsom's spokesperson, Izzy Gardon, characterized the backlash as 'MAGA-manufactured outrage,' emphasizing that the governor has spoken publicly about his dyslexia and SAT performance for years, including with conservative commentator Charlie Kirk and many other audiences. Gardon noted that the governor was speaking to a mixed-race audience during the conversation. Mayor Andre Dickels directly defended Newsom, stating on Instagram that 'context matters more than a headline' and clarifying that the conversation was about Newsom's own academic struggles and personal journey, not an attack on anyone.
The controversial clip was posted by the conservative influencer account End Wokeness and was viewed between 20 million to more than 40 million times on X. Newsom's national book tour began on February 21, 2026, in Nashville and included appearances scheduled through March 3, 2026, in Los Angeles, coinciding with the February 24, 2026 release of his memoir 'Young Man in a Hurry.'
According to the summary information provided, Newsom's office drew further scrutiny when a staffer responded to a reporter's request for paperwork verifying his dyslexia diagnosis by telling them to 'respectfully, f*** off.' This incident added to the ongoing controversy surrounding the viral comments and the broader debate about the authenticity of Newsom's claims regarding his learning difficulties.
