“I’m Like You” Clip TORCHES Newsom

Man in suit, solemn expression, purple background with bear drawing.

Gavin Newsom’s “I’m like you” line in Atlanta lit up social media because critics say it sounded less like humility and more like the soft bigotry of low expectations.

Quick Take

California Gov. Gavin Newsom’s book-tour stop in Atlanta went viral after he referenced his dyslexia and a “960 SAT” score while telling the audience he was “like you.”
Conservative critics argued the phrasing—delivered in a majority-Black city—came off as patronizing and racially loaded, even if Newsom meant it as self-deprecating.
Newsom’s office dismissed the backlash as “MAGA-manufactured outrage,” saying he has used similar lines for years and pointing to past Trump controversies.
The episode lands as Newsom promotes his memoir ahead of its Feb. 24, 2026 release and faces ongoing national scrutiny over California governance and fraud oversight.

What Newsom Said in Atlanta—and Why It Traveled Fast

Gavin Newsom drew fresh controversy after appearing in Atlanta on his national book tour, where he spoke with Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens about his upcoming memoir, Young Man in a Hurry: A Memoir of Discovery. Newsom referenced lifelong dyslexia and said he cannot read speeches, then emphasized his test score: “I’m no better than you… I’m a 960 SAT guy… I’m like you.” The clip spread rapidly on X and became a partisan lightning rod.

The strongest factual point is that Newsom’s comments were real and widely circulated; what remains disputed is the intent and the effect. Critics interpreted “I’m like you” as implying that a Black Atlanta audience shares low academic achievement or illiteracy, which is why the accusation focused on racism rather than mere awkwardness. The available reporting does not include a full transcript of the event, so interpretation relies heavily on the viral excerpt and the surrounding context described by outlets.

Backlash From Conservatives Focused on “Soft Bigotry” Framing

Reaction came quickly from high-profile conservative voices and Trump-aligned commentators. Sen. Ted Cruz framed the remark as the “soft bigotry of low expectations,” while others argued it would be politically damaging if Newsom is positioning himself for a future national run. Public figures including Nicki Minaj and media personalities amplified the critique, and Florida Rep. Randy Fine called for resignation. The common thread was that the Atlanta setting made a self-deprecating line sound like a stereotype.

From a conservative values perspective, the controversy highlights a recurring political problem: when leaders lean on identity-flavored rhetoric, they often end up talking past individuals rather than respecting them as citizens. The objection raised by critics was not that dyslexia is shameful or that academic struggles should be hidden, but that Newsom’s chosen wording could be read as grouping an audience by race and presumed outcomes. That concern depends on context—context the viral clip only partially shows.

Newsom’s Office Called It “Manufactured Outrage” and Hit Back Hard

Newsom’s press office rejected the racism charge and argued the flare-up was driven by “MAGA-manufactured outrage.” The office said Newsom has discussed dyslexia and his SAT score publicly for years, including in conversations with conservative host Charlie Kirk, suggesting this was not a targeted remark tailored to a Black audience in Atlanta. The statement also counterpunched by invoking past Trump-related controversies and using unusually blunt language to dismiss critics.

Why This Matters Beyond a Viral Clip: Trust, Competence, and California’s Record

The timing matters because Newsom is pushing a national profile while his state’s performance is frequently debated outside California. Separate reporting has documented major fraud problems in state-administered programs in recent years, including widely cited failures tied to COVID-era benefits. In Washington, Trump administration scrutiny of California programs has become part governance fight, part political fight—raising questions about competence, oversight, and whether accountability is applied evenly across states and administrations.

What’s Confirmed, What’s Debated, and What Readers Should Watch Next

Two things are clearly supported by the available sources: Newsom made the “960 SAT” remarks, and the backlash exploded online with conservatives arguing the language sounded patronizing in Atlanta. What cannot be conclusively resolved from the excerpt alone is intent—whether Newsom was simply recounting a rehearsed personal anecdote about dyslexia or leaning into audience-based signaling that backfired. Watch for longer video context, follow-up comments from Newsom himself, and whether the moment becomes recurring campaign fodder as his book tour continues.