Newsom's Tone-Deaf Comments Spark Outrage Among African Americans
If the Democratic Party seeks to understand why Donald Trump secured twice as many African American votes in 2024 compared to four years earlier, they should examine California Governor Gavin Newsom's recent conduct. The governor has dominated headlines this month, promoting his new memoir across the United States while delivering an amateurish performance at an international security summit in Munich, seemingly auditioning for the role of commander-in-chief.
A Disastrous Interview with Atlanta's Mayor
However, his latest appearance may prove most catastrophic. During a Sunday interview with black Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens, Newsom offended millions of African Americans by portraying them as a community of underachievers and dimwits. "I'm not trying to impress you, I'm just trying to impress upon you, 'I'm like you. I'm not better than you,'" Newsom explained to Dickens. "I'm a 960 SAT guy."
The exchange proved both baffling and awkward, showcasing a veteran politician on the brink of a potential presidential run resorting to identity politics with remarkably tone-deaf and damaging consequences. Unsurprisingly, critics swiftly condemned Newsom's remarks as evidence of racism or at least the racism of low expectations.
Immediate Backlash from Prominent Figures
"How insulting," declared former Ohio Democratic state senator Nina Turner on social media platform X. Princeton Professor Cornell West added that Newsom's "mindset is at the core of white supremacy." Beyond the clumsy soundbites and subsequent cleanup attempts, Newsom's gaffe reveals something far more troubling than mere offense—an out-of-touch elitism that could potentially sink his embryonic presidential campaign and his party's chances of reclaiming the White House in 2028.
As Black History Month concludes, it becomes evident that Newsom possesses limited understanding of actual black people beyond outdated and offensive stereotypes. In many families, black educational excellence and high achievement have been standards since Emancipation. Yet Newsom likely would never have attempted his SAT stunt with white Jewish relatives.
Newsom's Background and Authenticity Issues
Most concerning perhaps is that Newsom, nearly sixty years old, continues discussing his SAT scores—an unusual focus for someone of his age and position. With his prom king appearance and "most-likely-to-succeed" demeanor, Newsom appears trapped in his high school days. In fairness, one might imagine Newsom attempted to convey that he too has experienced struggle and defeat, working hard to succeed in a world expecting failure.
Responding to critics, Newsom referenced his dyslexia diagnosis from childhood, revealed in 2004 after his election as San Francisco mayor. He presents himself as just "good old Gov. Gav," yet this portrayal lacks authenticity. Newsom hails from a wealthy, connected California family, with his political ascent significantly supported by the even wealthier billionaire Getty clan.
Broader Democratic Communication Problems
As a long-time Newsom observer, I don't believe the governor represents an unrepentant racist. Rather, he embodies the entitlement and arrogance of someone steeped in privilege while desperately attempting to obscure it. Instead of embracing his enviable upbringing, he clumsily denies it—an act of inauthenticity that perfectly captures Democratic credibility issues.
Newsom isn't alone among white liberals attempting to simplify themselves to connect with black communities. A 2018 Yale School of Management study found white liberals often "downplay their verbal competence" when engaging with ethnic minorities, particularly African Americans, while Republicans and conservatives demonstrate less such behavior.
Political Implications and Future Prospects
Essentially, the whitest, most educated elites on the left appear to believe others possess less intelligence—a profoundly mistaken assumption. With two years remaining before the first Democratic primary in New Hampshire, Newsom still has time to correct course as he navigates a campaign trail filled with both possibilities and pitfalls.
African Americans constitute five percent of California's population but more than double that nationwide. With black voters—especially black men—abandoning Democrats in record numbers, Newsom faces significant trouble. For many African Americans, Newsom's SAT scandal should prove fatal to his political ambitions, not merely because his words were grievously disconnected, but because he considered delivering them in the first place.
Ultimately, Gavin Newsom—similar to Kamala Harris before him—struggles to articulate what makes him special and why anyone should vote for him. His Atlanta blunder provides another compelling reason why Americans of all backgrounds absolutely should not support his political aspirations.
