California Governor Gavin Newsom had an expletive-laden meltdown over Fox News host Sean Hannity Monday after a viral clip from Newsom’s book tour sparked accusations of racism.
The controversy began Sunday when Newsom appeared with Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens as part of the book tour for his new memoir, “Young Man in a Hurry.”
Newsom told the predominately black audience that, like them, he was also dumb and had trouble reading.
“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. I’m a 960 SAT guy,” Newsom said. “And I’m not trying to offend anyone, act all there if you got 940. But literally a 960 SAT guy. You have never seen me read a speech, because I cannot read a speech.”
The clip spread rapidly across social media after the X account “End Wokeness” posted it Sunday evening, racking up more than 33 million views by Monday afternoon.
Hannity was among the first prominent voices to weigh in.
“GavinNewsom Thinks a 960 SAT Makes Him ‘Like’ Black Americans. Let That Sink In,” he posted on X.
Newsom fired back within hours with an angry, expletive-laden meltdown.
“You didn’t give a s–t about the President of the United States of America posting an ape video of President Obama or calling African nations s**tholes — but you’re going to call me racist for talking about my lifelong struggle with dyslexia? Spare me your fake f**king outrage, Sean,” the governor replied.
Take a look –
You didn’t give a shit 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?
Spare me your fake fucking outrage,… https://t.co/ABNZJQJLcj
— Gavin Newsom (@GavinNewsom) February 23, 2026
Hannity did not back down.
“Spare me your phony lectures about your impoverished life,” he responded. “Tells us more about the Safaris you went on as a child. Your slick hair gel, shtick and bulls**t is getting old. You are the worst governor in the country.”
.@GavinNewsom – It is amazing you are now a full time world traveler, full time X poster, full time Trump stalker, full time podcaster and now full time author and no show governor as your state collapses.
If you gave a shit about the people of California you would make sure…
— Sean Hannity 🇺🇸 (@seanhannity) February 23, 2026
Newsom’s communications director dismissed the racism backlash in a statement.
“First MAGA mocked his dyslexia and now they’re calling Gavin Newsom a racist for talking about his low SAT scores. This is fake MAGA-manufactured outrage.”
Mayor Dickens, a Democrat, also rushed to Newsom’s defense.
“Take it from someone who was actually in the chair asking the questions: context matters more than a headline,” Dickens wrote. “That wasn’t an attack on anyone. It was a moment of vulnerability about his own journey.”
Newsom’s office claimed the governor has made similar remarks about his SAT scores and dyslexia for years across many audiences, including in a previous appearance with Charlie Kirk. The governor’s book tour includes stops in Tennessee, Georgia, and South Carolina — key states for any future presidential run.