California Gov. Gavin Newsom is on his 2028 book tour and managed to step on a rake in Atlanta, telling the city’s Black mayor, Andre Dickens, “I’m just like you,” before pivoting to his low SAT score and inability to read speeches. The internet did what it does best — and suddenly Newsom is being accused of racism. Tragic. Truly tragic. For him.
Newsom, who has long claimed dyslexia since 2018, has a habit of deploying it depending on the room: sometimes it’s an excuse, sometimes it’s relatability, sometimes it’s a badge of resilience. In 2021, he even dictated a children’s book to a ghostwriter and put his name on it. A man of many talents — outsourcing chief among them.
Now that he’s facing blowback, Newsom’s reflex is to cry ableism and claim he’s being shamed for having a disability. Sure, Jan.
Reporters aren’t buying it, and neither is the public. RealClearPolitics correspondent Susan Crabtree noted that Newsom’s foul-mouthed communications team is feeling the heat as legitimate questions pile up. Funny how that happens when you keep bringing up your own test scores on a campaign-style book tour.
Which brings us to the real issue: California’s results. For the 2025–26 year, the state has budgeted a staggering $137 billion for education. And what does it have to show for it? National test scores in reading and math that trail most states — including places California elites love to sneer at. Even worse, California schools still haven’t fully recovered from the learning losses inflicted during COVID lockdowns.
Enter Mississippi Gov. Tate Reeves, who politely offered to help by suggesting a reading coach. Ouch. When Mississippi is tutoring California, it’s time for Sacramento to put the hair gel down and pick the phonics up.
Newsom might want to take Reeves up on the offer — and while he’s at it, swap out his comms team for people who can communicate without dropping F-bombs. California doesn’t have a funding problem. It has a leadership and priorities problem.
The silver lining? At least this moment forced a national conversation about results, not excuses. And if Mississippi can lead the way on literacy, that’s proof that smart policy — not smugness — is what really moves the needle.
