MLB’s Tommy Pham slams Gavin Newsom over SAT comment: ‘He thinks Black people are dumb’

WASHINGTON, DC: Major League Baseball star Tommy Pham strongly criticized California Governor Gavin Newsom this week.

Pham said Gavin Newsom’s recent attempt to connect with a diverse audience by discussing his academic record felt insulting and disconnected from reality. The governor, who is currently on a national book tour, mentioned his 960 SAT score in an effort to relate to people from different backgrounds.

Tommy Pham slams Newsom over SAT remarks

Pham’s criticism reflects broader backlash to Newsom’s comments during an Atlanta event, where the governor tried to share a story about his lifelong struggle with dyslexia and academic challenges.

Speaking with Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens before a large crowd over the weekend, Newsom cited his 960 SAT score as evidence that he relates to Black people. “I’m not trying to impress you,” Newsom said. “I’m just trying to impress upon you, ‘I’m like you. I’m not better than you.’ I’m a 960 SAT guy.”

Pham responded in an Instagram Story, saying he “can’t relate” to the governor’s statement.

“I was a straight A student and scored well on my SAT,” Pham said. “He thinks black ppl are dumb.” Pham then shared a screenshot of a separate video in which Newsom told an interviewer he once “read a 260 page book in an hour and a half.”

While Newsom’s office has defended the statement as an effort to express vulnerability about his own journey, critics argue the framing seemed patronizing, especially when viewed without the broader context of his remarks.

Newsom faces backlash over dyslexia comments

Pham was hardly the only one bothered by Newsom’s remarks. Several Republicans blasted him on X, as did rapper Nicki Minaj.

In response to backlash from Republicans and others online, Newsom attempted to clarify his comments, saying he only meant to highlight his lifelong struggle with dyslexia.

“You dont care about the President of the United States of America posting an ape video of President Obama or calling African nations shitholes, but you’re going to call me racist for talking about my lifelong struggle with dyslexia?” Newsom said in response to Fox News anchor Sean Hannity.

For his part, Andre Dickens defended Newsom’s statement as a “moment of vulnerability."

The governor’s comments have drawn attention beyond Pham’s post, with various public figures expressing opinions on both sides of the debate. Some critics outside of sports have said that using personal academic struggles to connect with a wider audience could risk causing offense.