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Newsom comes under attack from GOP, LGBTQ group on different issues

Republicans are pounding on California Gov. Gavin Newsom, a potential 2028 presidential contender, after he told an audience in Atlanta that he was “like” them because he was a “960 SAT guy.” 

The comments, made while Newsom was promoting his new memoir “Young Man in a Hurry,” were intended to show common ground with Black communities but instead sparked immediate backlash from Republicans. 

“I don’t think he’s ready for this environment,” said Matt Shupe, a spokesman for the California Republican Party. “I don’t think his team is ready for this environment. I think he’s going to flame out.” 

On Monday, the California Republican Party seized on Newsom’s remarks, with its chair Corrin Rankin, who is Black, arguing that Newsom was talking down to Black voters.

“Gavin Newsom continues to speak down to Black people, saying that we aren’t smart enough, or capable of getting an ID, or passport, or even score higher than a thousand on our SATs,” Rankin said.  

“You say that you’re like us. If you were like us, you would know that we’re doctors, we’re lawyers, community leaders, veterans who fought for this country, parents raising the next generation of leaders. We are Americans, and we will never be defined by someone else’s limitations,” she added.

President Trump’s political operation also criticized Newsom for calling “black people dumb.” Sen. Tim Scott (S.C.), the only Black Republican senator, called Newsom’s comments “ridiculous” and said “Black Americans aren’t your low bar.” Megyn Kelly, a conservative commentator, predicted the comment would “haunt him forever.” 

Newsom fired back on the criticism. 

“First MAGA mocked his dyslexia and now they’re calling him racist for talking about his low SAT scores,” Newsom spokesperson Izzy Gardon said in a statement. “The governor has said this publicly for years — including with [the late conservative activist] Charlie Kirk and dozens of other audiences.” 

“The same people who excused or ignored Trump’s racist ape video can go f— themselves,” Gardon added, referring to the recent controversy when Trump posted a video of former President Obama and former first lady Michelle Obama depicted as apes. The video was taken down amid criticism from Democrats and Republicans, including Scott.

Newsom hasn’t just been on the receiving end of criticism from Republicans.

On Tuesday, he was the target of attacks from the California Legislative LGBTQ Caucus after he said in an interview on CNN that Democrats should be more “culturally normal” if they want to lure voters to their side. 

The LGBTQ caucus responded by saying it’s “deeply concerning” for an elected official to define who or what is considered normal. 

Newsom is one of the early front-runners for the 2028 Democratic primary, boosted by his recent redistricting efforts in his state and his frequent attacks on President Trump and his administration. 

Democrats desperate for leadership since their losses across the board in the 2024 election have increasingly turned to Newsom for his aggressive stance, saying he fits the mood of the party, which wants a fight with Trump. 

In recent months, Republicans have seen the governor as a “top tier” candidate for 2028 and have kept a close eye on his movements. 

Monday’s controversy was reminiscent of the kind of criticism he would receive during a presidential campaign. 

Republicans say he’s a formidable opponent and should only expect that scrutiny to continue. 

“He’s the governor of our largest state so you have to take that seriously,” said Republican strategist Doug Heye. “But he has a long record as California governor and San Francisco mayor, with all the nutty stuff that’s taken place under his watch.”

“Republicans will love to pick that apart,” Heye said. 

Kevin Madden, a veteran Republican strategist who served as a senior adviser on Mitt Romney’s 2012 presidential campaign, said Newsom is “an encapsulation of the 2024 candidates.” 

“He has Trump’s media engagement appetite but with Kamala Harris’s authenticity problems,” Madden said. “He has the ability to command attention and drive news cycles. That’s a strength. But it’s also that high visibility that also makes him very available for criticism from Republicans.”

To date, the Republican National Committee (RNC), which has kept a close eye on Newsom, has been connecting him to midterm races. 

“I kind of see him as a drag for any moderates,” said one RNC source. “I don’t think he’s necessarily a benefit to them.” 

Newsom is expected to continue to make stops across the country to promote his book, in an effort to potentially introduce himself to voters and define himself. 

But Susan Del Percio, a longtime Republican consultant who does not support Trump, said Newsom’s comments were unhelpful in such an effort. 

“It sounds like a Joe Bidenism to me if I ever heard one,” Del Percio said, referring to the former president’s propensity for gaffes. 

Del Percio predicted that it’s just the beginning of Republican attacks. 

“He is out there and he’s unafraid and they see that as somewhat threatening,” she said.

Still, Del Percio added, “I don’t think they would be as concerned in taking him on because he’s an empty suit.” 

Copyright 2026 Nexstar Media Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

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