Gavin Newsom Launches Furious Attack on Fox Host Over Racism Accusations
California Governor Gavin Newsom has unleashed a blistering, profanity-filled tirade against Fox News primetime host Sean Hannity after conservative media figures accused the Democratic politician of racism. The controversy erupted following comments Newsom made about his lifelong struggle with dyslexia during an event promoting his new memoir.
The Controversial Comments That Sparked the Firestorm
During a Sunday event in Atlanta, Georgia, Newsom was asked about his experiences with dyslexia. The governor responded candidly, telling the audience: "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 went on to reveal: "You know, I'm a 960 SAT guy... you've never seen me read a speech because I cannot read a speech."
These remarks quickly drew criticism from conservative commentators who accused Newsom of attempting to appeal to Black voters by presenting himself as intellectually challenged. Sean Hannity reacted sharply on social media platform X, writing: "Thinks a 960 SAT Makes Him 'Like' Black Americans. Let That Sink In."
Newsom's Explosive Response to Hannity
Newsom fired back with extraordinary force, accusing Hannity of hypocrisy and selective outrage. In a profanity-laced response, the California governor wrote: "You didn't give a sh** about the President of the United States of America posting an ape video of President Obama or calling African nations shitholes — but you're going to call me racist for talking about my lifelong struggle with dyslexia?"
He concluded his explosive retort with: "Spare me your fake f**king outrage, Sean." The exchange represents one of the most direct and confrontational interactions between a prominent Democratic politician and a leading conservative media personality in recent memory.
Conservative Media Piles On the Criticism
The backlash against Newsom extended well beyond Hannity. Rapper Nicki Minaj, an outspoken supporter of former President Donald Trump, claimed Newsom was attempting to appeal to Black voters by "telling them how stupid he is & that he can't read." She further accused the governor of speaking in a "sporadic cadence" and slowing down his speech as if addressing children.
Former Fox News anchor Megyn Kelly declared that "this clip will haunt him forever," while conservative commentator Mark Levin asserted that "if any Republican said what this moron Newscum said their political careers would be over." Levin challenged Democrats and mainstream media to respond with equal vigor to Newsom's comments as they would to similar remarks from a Republican.
Newsom's Team Defends the Governor's Remarks
Newsom's spokesperson responded to the growing controversy 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 statement continued: "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 a Potential 2028 Contender
The controversy emerges as Newsom is widely viewed as a leading contender for the Democratic presidential nomination in 2028. Prediction markets and early Democratic voter polling show Newsom leading the field of potential contenders alongside former Vice President Kamala Harris. The incident represents his first significant controversy as he positions himself for a potential national campaign.
Newsom was in Atlanta promoting his new memoir, "Young Man in a Hurry," which traces his political rise in California as mayor of San Francisco while providing a candid account of his childhood. The book, released on Tuesday, forms part of a promotional tour with upcoming stops in major Democratic strongholds including California and New York.
This confrontation highlights the increasingly polarized nature of American political discourse and sets the stage for what promises to be a contentious political cycle as both parties search for direction following the 2024 presidential election.
