California Governor Gavin Newsom has stirred controversy following a viral clip in which he discusses his poor SAT scores and reading difficulties, with critics labeling his comments as condescending, especially to Black voters. The backlash was prominently voiced by Corrin Rankin, the chairwoman of the California Republican Party, who highlighted the problematic nature of the governor's remarks. Rankin, the first Black chair of the California GOP, expressed disbelief over Newsom's statements, stating that such a tone in 2026 is not acceptable.

The controversy ignited when the conservative influencer account End Wokeness shared the clip, which has been viewed over 40 million times on social media platform X. In the clip, Newsom tells Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens, "I’m like you," while sharing his own struggles with reading and low SAT scores. Right-wing critics interpreted this as an attempt by Newsom to pander to Black voters, raising concerns about the sincerity of his engagement with the community and accusing him of a patronizing approach.

The comments by Newsom and the subsequent criticism from Rankin reflect a deeper political divide and ongoing tensions regarding race and representation in politics. As the 2026 elections draw nearer, such incidents can significantly impact a politician's image and voter perceptions, particularly among minority groups. The discourse not only highlights the challenges faced by public figures when addressing sensitive racial topics but also underscores the scrutiny that leaders like Newsom are under in a highly polarized political environment.