President Donald Trump criticized California Governor Gavin Newsom on Monday, suggesting the Democrat’s dyslexia should disqualify him from serving as president.
Trump made the remarks to reporters in the Oval Office while discussing voter identification policies in California and criticizing the governor, who is seen as a potential presidential candidate in 2028.
Trump has previously criticized Newsom over his dyslexia. The California governor has said he was diagnosed with it at age five.
Trump also referenced remarks Newsom made last month at an event promoting his memoir, “Young Man in a Hurry.” Newsom told Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens: “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.”
Trump stated: “Gavin Newscum has admitted that he is a, that he has learning disabilities.” He added: “Honestly, I’m all for people with learning disabilities, but not for my president. I don’t want, I think a president should not have learning disabilities, OK?”
“And I know it’s highly controversial to say such a horrible thing,” Trump said. “The president of the United States, Gavin Newscum, admitted that he has learning disabilities, dyslexia.” He then declared: “Everything about him is dumb.”
In an earlier Truth Social post, Trump referred to Newsom as “A Cognitive Mess!” and stated the governor had a “mental disorder.”
White House spokesman Davis Ingle defended Trump’s remarks in a statement, saying that Newsom “is the worst governor in America, and he also may be the dumbest.”
Newsom spokesperson Izzy Gardon responded by mocking Trump on social media platform X with the text: “Donald Trump calls Gavin Newsom the President of the United States.”
Newsom has also faced criticism from some conservatives over his Atlanta remarks about his SAT performance, which they argue invokes racial stereotypes.
