Senator Ted Cruz criticized California Governor Gavin Newsom following remarks the governor made to a predominantly Black audience in Atlanta, calling Newsom “the perfect Democrat, made in a laboratory, dripping with racist condescension. But also very pretty.” Cruz’s post was a direct response to a video clip from the event in which Newsom discussed his personal struggles with dyslexia and his experiences navigating the education system.
He’s like the perfect Democrat, made in a laboratory, dripping with racist condescension.
— Ted Cruz (@tedcruz) February 23, 2026
But also very pretty. https://t.co/NLkNGfW7tN
In the video, Newsom told the audience, “I’m like you. I’m a 960 SAT guy. I can’t read,” framing his comments as an effort to connect with the audience through shared challenges.
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
Newsom’s remarks in Atlanta were part of a broader book tour promoting his memoir, Young Man in a Hurry, which explores both his personal and political experiences. Speaking candidly about his dyslexia, Newsom described frequent school changes, academic struggles, and the ongoing impact of learning differences on his life. “I haven’t overcome dyslexia. I’m living with it. I was the guy in the back of the classroom, head down, just praying the teacher didn’t call on me,” he said. The governor emphasized that his story was intended to resonate with audiences outside California, highlighting perseverance, civic engagement, and the importance of standing against voter suppression and intimidation.
Cruz’s remarks came amid a backdrop of ongoing tensions between the two politicians. A week prior, Newsom had responded sharply to Cruz’s criticism over a separate speech in Munich, in which the governor described federal deployments of troops in a major U.S. city. Cruz had labeled Newsom “historically illiterate,” accusing him of demonizing law enforcement and drawing comparisons to former Democratic officials such as Bull Connor. Newsom countered that Cruz’s comments were a personal attack that ignored his lifelong experience with dyslexia and misrepresented his intent.
Ted Cruz calling a dyslexic person illiterate is a new low, even for him. https://t.co/XC75ybiGKd
— Gavin Newsom (@GavinNewsom) February 16, 2026
The exchange underscores broader partisan tensions, with Newsom using his personal narrative to emphasize resilience and civic participation, while Cruz positioned the remarks as emblematic of what he described as Democratic missteps in engaging with law enforcement and minority communities.
The clash highlights a continuing political narrative in which personal stories and public critique intersect, with both figures using recent events to reinforce larger political messaging. Newsom’s focus on overcoming personal challenges and promoting civic engagement contrasts sharply with Cruz’s framing of the remarks as condescending, illustrating the starkly different approaches both politicians take in connecting with audiences and critiquing opponents.
