Harvey Levin Defends Newsom Against Racism Accusations

TMZ executive producer says Newsom's comments were misinterpreted and the event audience was predominantly white.

Published on Feb. 24, 2026

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TMZ's Harvey Levin has come to the defense of California Governor Gavin Newsom, who faced accusations of racism after comments he made at a book event in Atlanta. Levin argues that the audience was predominantly white, contradicting claims that Newsom was making racist remarks about Black people. Levin also criticized Democrats for jumping on Newsom instead of standing by their own.

Why it matters

This story highlights the ongoing political tensions and accusations of racism that have become commonplace in the current political climate. It also demonstrates the power of media figures like Harvey Levin to shape the narrative and defend political figures they are aligned with.

The details

During the book event in Atlanta, Newsom discussed his own educational background, including a mediocre SAT score and struggles with dyslexia. Some, including rapper Nicki Minaj, accused Newsom of making racist remarks about the predominantly Black audience. However, Levin has shared new photos showing the audience was actually predominantly white, contradicting the racism claims. Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens also defended Newsom, telling outsiders to 'keep their mouths shut' about what should offend his citizens. Newsom has argued that Republicans didn't face similar backlash when the former president posted an AI video of the Obamas as monkeys.

  • The book event in Atlanta took place recently.
  • Levin's defense of Newsom was published on February 24, 2026.

The players

Gavin Newsom

The Governor of California who faced accusations of racism after comments he made at a book event in Atlanta.

Harvey Levin

The executive producer at TMZ who has come to the defense of Newsom, arguing that the accusations of racism are unfounded.

Nicki Minaj

A rapper who was among those who accused Newsom of making racist remarks about the audience at the Atlanta event.

Andre Dickens

The Mayor of Atlanta who defended Newsom, telling outsiders to 'keep their mouths shut' about what should offend his citizens.

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What they’re saying

“Gavin Newsom wasn't making racist remarks during a recent event -- since it looked like he was the intermission entertainment at a Coldplay concert -- so says our own Harvey Levin.”

— Harvey Levin, TMZ Executive Producer (TMZ)

“Keep your mouths shut instead of telling my citizens what should offend them.”

— Andre Dickens, Mayor of Atlanta (TMZ)

What’s next

It remains to be seen if the accusations of racism against Newsom will continue to be a political issue, or if Levin's defense and the evidence of the event's predominantly white audience will put the matter to rest.

The takeaway

This incident highlights the ongoing challenges of navigating sensitive political and racial issues in the current climate, where accusations of racism can quickly spread and become politically charged, even when the evidence suggests otherwise.