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Nicki Minaj called out California Governor Gavin Newsom for what she described as condescending behavior toward Black voters during his appearance at an Atlanta book tour event.<\/p>\n
The rapper<\/a> posted criticism on X after video clips circulated from Newsom\u2019s Sunday evening event promoting his memoir Young Man in a Hurry<\/em>.<\/p>\n Newsom appeared in conversation with Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens when he discussed his struggles with dyslexia and academic challenges. The governor told the audience he scored 960 on his SATs and emphasized his reading difficulties to connect with attendees.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m like you. I\u2019m no better than you,\u201d Newsom said during the event. \u201cI\u2019m a 960 SAT guy. And I\u2019m not trying to offend anyone. I\u2019m not trying to act all there if you got 940.\u201d<\/p>\n Nicki Minaj responded harshly to clips that went viral on social media platforms.<\/p>\n \u201cHis way of bonding with black ppl is to tell them how stupid he is & that he can\u2019t read,\u201d she wrote on X. The rapper accused Newsom of deliberately slowing his speech pattern during the remarks.<\/p>\n \u201cHe\u2019s not just TELLING them that they\u2019re all probably stupid & probably can\u2019t read, he\u2019s LITERALLY SLOW-ING-DOWN-HIS-SPEECH to make them understand the words that are coming out of his mouth!!!! As if they\u2019re children!!!!\u201d Minaj continued in her post.<\/a><\/p>\n His way of bonding with black ppl is to tell them how stupid he is & that he can\u2019t read. <\/p>\n This means my first read on him was correct. He\u2019s been handed so many things & put in high positions he never earned or deserved. <\/p>\n Do you wanna know the craziest part of this footage that\u2026 https:\/\/t.co\/llo1k7F7wB<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 Nicki Minaj (@NICKIMINAJ) February 23, 2026<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n <\/d##> The controversy stems from social media posts<\/a> that incorrectly described the Atlanta audience as entirely Black.<\/p>\n Images and videos from the event show a racially diverse crowd attending Newsom\u2019s book promotion.<\/p>\n Newsom\u2019s comments came in response to a question about his dyslexia and personal experiences he wanted readers to understand. \u201cYou\u2019ve never seen me read a speech because I cannot read a speech,\u201d he explained to the audience. \u201cMaybe the wrong business to be in.\u201d<\/p>\n Minaj has increasingly aligned herself with conservative politics and Donald Trump\u2019s administration<\/a> in recent months. She previously criticized Newsom over his positions on transgender issues and other California policies.<\/p>\n While she\u2019s busy attacking Governor Newsom, her X.com account is under fire for being infested with a network of bots that amplify her right-wing leaning speech. She has yet to address the claims.<\/p>\n Governor Newsom\u2019s book tour continues with upcoming stops in California and New York as he promotes the book ahead of its February 24 release.<\/p>\n \t\t\t<\/p><\/div>\n
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