Newsom Tries Bonding with Black Crowd: “I’m Like You – Low SAT Score, Can’t Read” – Epic Fail Caught on Camera

You know that cringe-worthy moment when a wealthy, elite politician tries to pander to a crowd by pretending he’s just like them, only to come off as insulting and tone-deaf? That’s exactly what California Governor Gavin Newsom did on Sunday in Atlanta while promoting his new autobiography and auditioning for a 2028 presidential run. Speaking in front of a mostly black audience, Newsom decided the best way to connect was to declare that he’s basically one of them because he had a low SAT score and “can’t read.” Yes, really. The man who’s been governor of the most populous state in the country, who attended elite schools and lives in multi-million-dollar properties, tried to bond by bragging about academic failure and illiteracy. The epic fail was caught on camera for the world to see.

Video:

The clip shows Newsom leaning into the microphone, attempting to sound relatable as he tells the crowd he scored below average on the SAT and struggles with reading. The audience reaction is mixed at best, and the internet has been merciless ever since. Commenters pointed out the obvious: this is the same Gavin Newsom who lectures everyone else about equity and education while presiding over a state where literacy rates in many public schools are abysmal and homelessness is out of control. The pandering was so bad it immediately drew comparisons to other Democrats who have embarrassed themselves trying to connect with black voters through awkward stereotypes. One viral clip resurfaced showing a similar tone-deaf attempt by another high-profile Democrat, highlighting how often this kind of clumsy racial cosplay happens on the left.

Video:

Hillary Clinton says she always carries hot sauce with her. This was April 18, 2016.

Charlamagne tha God then says people will accuse her of pandering to black people.

To which Hillary responds, “Is it working?” pic.twitter.com/Qi2OvyOf9v

— Paul A. Szypula 🇺🇸 (@Bubblebathgirl) February 23, 2026

The left loves to accuse conservatives of racism for simply noticing patterns or enforcing basic standards, but here we have a white, multi-millionaire liberal politician essentially saying, “I’m like you because I’m dumb too.” It’s insulting on every level. Newsom’s low SAT score comment was meant to humanize him, but it came across as condescending and desperate. The “can’t read” line was the cherry on top of the cringe sundae. If Donald Trump had said anything remotely close to this, the legacy media would be in full meltdown mode demanding apologies, investigations, and impeachment. But because it’s Newsom, they’ll likely give him a pass or pretend it was “relatable.”

This is the same Gavin Newsom who has spent years pushing failed progressive policies in California — open borders, soft-on-crime measures, and education systems that prioritize ideology over actual learning. Now he’s on the national stage trying to rebrand himself as a champion of the people he’s helped keep down. The crowd’s lukewarm reaction and the online backlash show that even some on the left are starting to see through the act.

The broader point is clear: the Democrat Party’s approach to black voters often relies on pandering, grievance, and low expectations rather than real solutions. Newsom’s embarrassing performance is just the latest example. Americans are tired of politicians who talk down to them while living in luxury and failing at governance. If this is the best the left has for 2028, they’re in even bigger trouble than they realize.

The left seethes when called out, but this one was too obvious to ignore. Newsom’s attempt at bonding backfired spectacularly — and the video will haunt him for a long time.

**Opinion Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article, including criticisms of Newsom’s pandering and observations about Democrat tactics, reflect a critical perspective and may not align with all readers. Facts are based on reported events and videos; readers should form their own conclusions.**

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Mark Van der Veen

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