Trump Attacks Newsom Over Dyslexia and Fitness
Trump told reporters Newsom 'has admitted' to learning disabilities and said a president should not have learning disabilities, prompting sharp responses from Newsom and his office.
AlterNet'Should not have learning disabilities': How Trump ableism to insult his foes
The Gateway PunditHILARIOUS! Trump ROASTS Gavin Newsom: "I'm All for People with Learning Disabilities, but Not for My President. Everything About Him is Dumb!" (VIDEO) | The Gateway Pundit | by Jordan Conradson
Daily BeastTrump, 79, Unleashes Bizarre Rant About ‘Learning Disabilities’
CNNTrump repeatedly suggests Newsom can’t be president because he has dyslexia | CNN Politics
Overview
President Donald Trump told reporters in the Oval Office that Gavin Newsom "has admitted that he has learning disabilities" and said a president should not have learning disabilities.
Trump first referenced Newsom's dyslexia during remarks in Kentucky last week and posted that Newsom is a "cognitive mess."
Newsom's press office wrote "Grandpa's talking about himself again" and urged Trump to "seek mental treatment," and Newsom replied on X calling Trump a "brain-dead moron."
Newsom recounts in his memoir Young Man in a Hurry that he was diagnosed with dyslexia at the age of five, and it was at least the fourth time Trump has attacked Newsom's intelligence.
The exchange is ongoing, with Trump repeating the claim and Newsom previously describing his dyslexia as a "superpower" in interviews.
Analysis
Analysis unavailable for this viewpoint.
FAQ
Newsom has discussed his dyslexia publicly for more than two decades, with comments dating back at least to his 2003 campaign for San Francisco mayor[1]. He wrote a children's book about dyslexia released in 2021[1] and has detailed his struggles with the condition in his memoir 'Young Man in a Hurry'[1]. He was diagnosed with dyslexia around age 10[1] and attended after-school classes and summer school to manage the disability[4].
California reporters familiar with Newsom's work describe several strategies he uses to manage his dyslexia on the job, including **memorizing facts and lines**, **using index cards rather than scripts**, and **avoiding written speeches altogether**[1]. He has stated that he does not read speeches, explaining that he 'cannot read a speech' during his book tour appearances[2].
Newsom mentioned his 960 SAT score while speaking in Atlanta to relate to his audience and demonstrate he was 'like you'[2][3]. Conservative media, including Fox News host Sean Hannity, amplified the clip and claimed his remarks were racist because he was speaking to a Black elected official[3]. However, Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens, who participated in the conversation, clarified that the discussion was about Newsom's academic struggles and was 'a moment of vulnerability about his own journey,' not an attack on anyone[3]. Newsom's office noted he had made similar remarks about his SAT scores and dyslexia 'for years, including with Charlie Kirk and dozens of other audiences'[3].
Dyslexia affects between 5 and 20 percent of the population[4]. As governor, Newsom has raised the profile of this reading disorder, which is only now getting the attention it warrants[4]. California published the California Dyslexia Guidelines as a result of a 2015 law intended to improve educational services for dyslexic children[4].
Yes, during his book tour promoting his memoir, conspiracy theorists began questioning the validity of Newsom's dyslexia diagnosis[1]. The governor's press team drew attention to the issue when spokesperson Izzy Gardon told conservative author Susan Crabtree to 'respectfully, fuck off' when she asked for documentation of his diagnosis[1]. Newsom's office indicated this debate over the validity of his dyslexia was new to them[1]. In his memoir, Newsom notes that while his school records from third grade showed teachers describing him mixing up letters and being unable to read the alphabet, 'the word dyslexia never showed up' in his official school records[1].
