California Governor Gavin Newsom Confronts Fox News Over Racism Allegations
California Governor Gavin Newsom, a Democrat, has launched a forceful counterattack against Fox News and MAGA supporters who labeled him as racist following remarks he made about his SAT score. The controversy erupted during a promotional event for his new book in Atlanta, where Newsom discussed his academic struggles.
Misleading Clip Sparks Outrage
Fox News host Sean Hannity posted an edited clip on X that appeared to show Newsom making offensive comments to a Black audience. In the clip, Newsom told Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens, also a Democrat, "I'm a 960 SAT guy. And you know, I'm not trying to offend anyone [and] act 'all there' if you got 940." This led Fox News personalities to accuse the governor of racism.
However, the full video revealed crucial context that Hannity omitted. Newsom explained that he has not overcome dyslexia and continues to live with the learning disability, framing his SAT remarks as part of a broader discussion on academic challenges.
Newsom's Blistering Response
Appearing on MSNBC's "The Briefing with Jen Psaki," Newsom directly called out Hannity for what he termed "fake fucking outrage." He argued that his critics have tolerated racism within their party for decades without objection.
"They didn't say it when I talked to Charlie Kirk and said the exact same thing, or the dozens and dozens of other occasions where I've said exactly the same thing," Newsom stated. "It was a hell of a statement, particularly for people that have been countenancing racism in their party for decades."
Highlighting Hypocrisy on Racist Incidents
Newsom further criticized Fox News hosts for remaining silent on blatantly racist actions. He pointed out that they uttered "not one word of condemnation" about racist videos targeting former President Barack Obama and former First Lady Michelle Obama. Earlier this month, President Donald Trump posted and later deleted a video depicting the Obamas as monkeys, which drew bipartisan criticism.
The governor also noted that Fox News never reprimanded Trump for his repeated offensive comments, such as disparaging remarks about "shithole countries." In contrast, Newsom emphasized, they chose to attack him for discussing learning disabilities in a mixed audience.
"That's a hell of a statement of the weaponization and the propaganda — the network, this machine that these folks have," Newsom declared. "And I'll tell you, forget me, put anyone else, this is what we're up against in this country."
Broader Political Implications
Elsewhere in the interview, Newsom warned that "conventional politics no longer applies" in the context of a potential second Trump administration. He described the political right as ruthless and adept at shifting conversations, urging Democrats to stay vigilant and proactive.
"The Right is ruthless. They're shapeshifting the conversation … We're consistently on our heels. [Democrats have] got to stay on our toes, we have to stay vigilant. This is just a reminder of that," he concluded, framing the clash as emblematic of deeper political divisions.
