Newsom's office slams "MAGA-manufactured outrage" as conservatives accuse him of bigotry

California Governor Gavin Newsom and Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens pushed back Monday on conservative accusations of racism and bigotry stemming from comments Newsom made about his 960 SAT score while promoting his new book in Atlanta on February 23, 2026, with Newsom's office dismissing the criticism as 'MAGA-manufactured outrage' after the governor's remarks about his academic challenges went viral. During a conversation in front of a packed auditorium, Newsom shared personal reflections about his academic struggles, stating '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. I'm a 960 SAT guy and you know, I'm not trying to offend anyone — you know — trying to act all there if you got 940 — but literally, a 960 SAT guy. You've never seen me read a speech because I cannot read a speech. Maybe the wrong business to be.' These remarks were amplified by conservatives including Fox News host Sean Hannity who claimed Newsom 'Thinks a 960 SAT Makes Him 'Like' Black Americans,' prompting a sharp response from the governor. The controversy has become part of the increasingly polarized political landscape, with Republican Sen. Tim Scott accusing Newsom of the 'bigotry of low expectations' and suggesting the governor was 'using your mediocre academics as a way to patronize communities.' Meanwhile, Dickens defended the conversation as a 'moment of vulnerability about his own journey' and emphasized that 'context matters more than a headline.' Newsom's communications director condemned the backlash as 'fake MAGA-manufactured outrage,' noting that the governor has made similar remarks about his SAT scores and dyslexia 'for years, including with Charlie Kirk and dozens of other audiences.' The incident comes as Newsom kicks off a book tour in key states that could be crucial for a potential 2028 presidential campaign, with stops planned in Tennessee, Georgia, South Carolina, and New Hampshire. The governor has previously acknowledged speculation about a presidential run, stating in a 2025 interview that 'The idea that a guy who got 960 on his SAT, that still struggles to read scripts, that was always in the back of the classroom — the idea that you even throw that out is in and of itself extraordinary.' The ongoing controversy highlights the sensitivity surrounding race and education in American politics, particularly as the 2028 presidential race begins to take shape.