Gavin Newsom’s “I’m like you” SAT quip to a Black mayor has exploded into a fresh culture-war mess that even a pro athlete is calling out as insulting and politically calculated.
Story Snapshot
- MLB free agent Tommy Pham blasted California Gov. Gavin Newsom over a viral clip in which Newsom referenced his low SAT score while speaking with Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens.
- Pham accused Newsom of implying Black people are “dumb,” while contrasting the SAT remark with a separate clip of Newsom describing reading a 230-page book quickly.
- Newsom responded on X by pointing to his dyslexia, while Dickens defended the moment as “vulnerability” rather than an attack.
- Newsom’s office framed the backlash as “MAGA-manufactured outrage,” escalating the dispute instead of clarifying the underlying comments.
What Newsom Said, and Why It Went Viral
Gavin Newsom’s remarks surfaced after a conversation with Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens, where Newsom attempted to relate by referencing his own SAT score. In the clip described in coverage, Newsom said he was a “960 SAT guy” and added, “I can’t read,” presenting it as a self-deprecating line about his personal background rather than a comment about anyone else. The exchange quickly spread online and was interpreted through the lens of identity politics.
The controversy intensified because the “I’m like you” framing occurred while speaking to Dickens, a Black mayor. Critics online argued that pairing a claim of low test performance with that specific comparison sounded loaded, regardless of intent. Supporters countered that Newsom has long used similar anecdotes to present himself as imperfect and relatable. The available reporting does not provide full event context beyond the quoted lines and the ensuing social media reaction.
Tommy Pham’s Accusation and the Hypocrisy Angle
Tommy Pham, an MLB free agent, took aim at Newsom in Instagram Stories after the clip circulated. Pham reshared video segments and wrote that he “can’t relate,” adding that he was a straight-A student who “scored well” on his SAT, then accusing Newsom of thinking Black people are “dumb.” That charge, as presented, reflects Pham’s interpretation of the optics rather than a documented statement from Newsom about race.
Pham’s post also leaned on a second, separate clip: Newsom discussing a book and claiming to have read a 230-page title (“Fight” by Jonathan Allen and Amie Parnes) in roughly a couple of hours, while also saying he does not read fast. Critics used the contrast to argue Newsom’s “I can’t read” line sounded more like performative politics than a literal description. The reporting notes minor variations in the stated reading time across clips.
Dyslexia Defense, Dickens’ Support, and What’s Verifiable
Newsom defended himself publicly by attributing the remark to his dyslexia, which he has discussed for years. That defense fits a known biographical theme Newsom has used repeatedly in public conversations, including discussing low test scores as part of his personal story. Mayor Dickens also defended the exchange online, describing it as a moment of “vulnerability” and arguing it was not an attack. Based on the material provided, the central facts are the quoted lines and the published reactions.
Newsom’s Office Turns a Clarification Into a Political Fight
Instead of narrowing the dispute to the meaning of the quote, Newsom’s office responded by labeling the blowback “MAGA-manufactured outrage,” according to the reporting. The statement also included a profane shot at critics, escalating the tone well beyond a simple clarification. For voters exhausted by elite rhetoric and constant political theater, that posture reads less like accountability and more like the familiar playbook: dismiss the concern, attack the messenger, and move on without addressing why the wording landed badly.
From a conservative perspective, this episode is a reminder that culture-war narratives are often driven by elites who speak carelessly, then outsource the cleanup to staffers and partisan media. The evidence available supports that Newsom made the SAT and “can’t read” remarks and later cited dyslexia; it does not prove racial intent. But Pham’s backlash shows a real-world consequence of political messaging that relies on identity-based “relatability” lines: it can offend the very people it claims to respect, and it fuels distrust in leaders who seem to shape-shift depending on the audience.
Sources:
Tommy Pham speaks out against Gavin Newsom over controversial SAT score comments
