WATCH: Gavin Newsom NOW says Kamala Harris would be an unknown ‘without Willie Brown’
Gavin Newsom is viewed by many as not just a candidate to be the Democrats’ presidential nominee in 2028 but a leading candidate.
So over the weekend he made a remark on camera implying blacks aren’t that smart and perhaps cannot even read.
Now he’s gone further, with a remark suggesting Kamala Harris, his party’s failed 2024 nominee for the White House, essentially would be an unknown “without Willie Brown,” bringing back to the campaign discourse her “relationship” with the much older politician at the start of her career in politics.
One publication bluntly warned, “Newsom sticks another fork in his faltering campaign before it begins with this remark … ”
Governor Newsom tonight: “You would not know Kamala Harris without Willie Brown”
Fact-check: TRUE pic.twitter.com/VEoRtcyGLB
— End Wokeness (@EndWokeness) February 24, 2026
A commentary at RedState said, “His attempt to raise his national profile for 2028 has imploded magnificently with unforced errors. And it’s still going. If he keeps this up, he may be able to show a ton of people in America how unfit he is for the job of president.”
The report noted Newsom also flipped out at Sean Hannity, “cursing him out.”
Then came the latest flub, in South Carolina.
In an interview moderated by former DNC chief Jaime Harrison, “He mentioned how he got his political start with the help of former San Francisco Mayor Willie Brown, who appointed him to the city’s Park and Traffic Commission, and then to the Board of Supervisors. But then Newsom mentioned Kamala Harris’ connection to Willie Brown.”
“For those who don’t know Willie Brown, you wouldn’t know Kamala Harris without Willie Brown,” Newsom said.
“Oh my, he actually went there. It sounds like the audience might not have known Willie Brown, so they didn’t get it. But X certainly did.”
In fact, it was at the beginning of Harris’ career that she and Brown, then 60 and married, had a “relationship.”
Then, “Brown appointed Harris to the California Unemployment Insurance Appeals Board and then to the Medical Assistance Commission – positions that paid her more than $400,000 over five years, according to SF Weekly. [….]”
Brown also confirmed, “I certainly helped with her first race for district attorney in San Francisco.”
Online commenters jumped to their keyboards, with, “Translation: DEI hire with benefits. Brutal honesty from the coastal king.”
And, “That might be the only truth he’s ever told.”
And, “I mean, I don’t like the guy, but he IS completely correct about that.”
And, “I believe him when he says he scored a 960 SAT.”
WND reported earlier that Newsom had said in another interview, “I’m not trying to impress you. I’m just trying to impress upon you I’m LIKE YOU. I’m no better than you. You know. I’m a 960 SAT guy. You know. And I’m not trying to offend anyone. You know, trying to act all there if you got 940. But literally a 960 SAT guy. I cannot. You’ve never seen me read a speech because I cannot read a speech.”
Gov. Newsom to a black crowd in GA: “I am like you. I’m a 960 SAT guy. I can’t read.” pic.twitter.com/4Gk0WKbIYz
— End Wokeness (@EndWokeness) February 23, 2026
Entertainer Nick Minaj immediately responded, and it wasn’t to offer solace for Newsom’s scores.
“His way of bonding with black ppl is to tell them how stupid he is & that he can’t read. This means my first read on him was correct. He’s been handed so many things & put in high positions he never earned or deserved. Do you wanna know the craziest part of this footage that will haunt him forever? He’s literally slowing his speech down & talking in a sporadic cadence. He’s not just TELLING them that they’re all probably stupid & probably can’t read, he’s LITERALLY SLOW-ING-DOWN-HIS-SPEECH to make them understand the words that are coming out of his mouth!!!! As if they’re children!!!! That means he REALLY BELIEVES they’re slow. He’s not just saying it—he didn’t misspeak!!!! He BELIEVES it!!!! Do ya love it?!?!! Do ya just love it, black ppl?!????
His way of bonding with black ppl is to tell them how stupid he is & that he can’t read.
This means my first read on him was correct. He’s been handed so many things & put in high positions he never earned or deserved.
Do you wanna know the craziest part of this footage that… https://t.co/llo1k7F7wB
— Nicki Minaj (@NICKIMINAJ) February 23, 2026
Also, with Newsom’s continued claims he has dyslexia, a reporter asked for documentation of the diagnosis.
And was told to “f*** off” by the Democrat’s communications director.
The question came from Susan Crabtree of Real Clear Politics, who lives in California and asked for any paperwork confirming his dyslexia, a learning disability involving difficulties in acquiring and processing language that is typically manifested by a lack of proficiency in reading, spelling, and writing.
“Newsom has also said he was diagnosed with dyslexia in 1972 – that would be when he was five or six. Is there anything the governor can point to as proof of this?” Crabtree asked.
“If the early paperwork is not available, is there any evidence of a more recent dyslexia diagnosis he can provide?”
Izzy Gardon, Newsom’s government-paid director of communications, responded without any redaction: “Hey Susan, thanks for reaching out. Respectfully, f*** off.”
Reporter asks Newsom for proof of dyslexia diagnosis, Gavin’s spokesman says thanks, now ‘F*** off’