Newsom Falsely Accused of Racism During Book Tour

Right-wing figures amplify misleading clip of governor's comments to Black mayor

Published on Feb. 27, 2026

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California Governor Gavin Newsom was falsely accused of racism after an anonymous social media account posted a misleading clip of his comments during an interview with Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens. The clip was then amplified by prominent right-wing figures, including Elon Musk and Donald Trump Jr., who claimed Newsom was being racist towards Black people. However, a review of the full context shows Newsom was simply discussing his personal struggles with dyslexia and not making any racially insensitive remarks.

Why it matters

This incident highlights the growing trend of the political right engaging in the same type of manufactured racial controversies that they have long criticized the left for. It demonstrates how misinformation and out-of-context clips can quickly spread and be used to score political points, even when the facts do not support the accusations.

The details

During an interview in Atlanta, Newsom discussed his memoir and opened up about his lifelong struggles with dyslexia. In the full context, Newsom was speaking generally about his experiences and not making any remarks directed at the racially diverse audience. However, an anonymous social media account posted a shortened clip that made it appear Newsom was telling a Black audience that he was "like them" because of his low SAT score. This misleading clip was then amplified by prominent right-wing figures, who accused Newsom of racism and condescension towards Black voters.

  • The interview with Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens took place on February 26, 2026.
  • The misleading clip was posted on social media on February 27, 2026.

The players

Gavin Newsom

The Democratic governor of California who recently published a memoir titled "Young Man in a Hurry: A Memoir of Discovery".

Andre Dickens

The Black mayor of Atlanta who interviewed Newsom about his memoir.

End Wokeness

An anonymous X (Twitter) account with 3.9 million followers that posted the misleading clip of Newsom's comments.

Elon Musk

The billionaire owner of X (Twitter) who amplified the false accusations against Newsom.

Donald Trump Jr.

The son of former President Donald Trump who also amplified the false accusations against Newsom.

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What they’re saying

“I honestly thought this had to be a deepfake or something because it's so insane and racist beyond belief.”

— Donald Trump Jr. (X (Twitter)

“He's like the perfect Democrat, made in a laboratory, dripping with racist condescension.”

— Ted Cruz, U.S. Senator (X (Twitter)

“The accusation against Newsom is that he was condescending to black voters. But from the video, the crowd appears to be heavily, if not mostly, white.”

— Chris Rufo, Activist (X (Twitter)

What’s next

The controversy over Newsom's comments is likely to continue, with the right-wing figures who amplified the false accusations facing potential backlash for spreading misinformation. The governor may also address the issue further during his book tour and media appearances.

The takeaway

This incident demonstrates the growing willingness of the political right to engage in the same type of manufactured racial controversies that they have long criticized the left for. It highlights the ease with which misinformation can spread on social media and be used to score political points, even when the facts do not support the accusations.