Trending Now - Trump Critiques Newsom's Dyslexia, Questions Presidential Fitness
WHO:
President Donald Trump
California Governor Gavin Newsom
Newsom's spokesperson, Izzy Gardon
Haley Moss, neurodiversity advocate
Dr. Howard Gardner, Harvard University research professor
Dr. Eliza Barach, cognitive psychologist and ADHD coach
WHAT:
Trump stated, “Everything about him is dumb,” referring to Newsom during remarks in the Oval Office on March 16th, 2026.
Trump criticized Newsom for his comments made during a book tour event in Atlanta, where Newsom said, “You’ve never seen me read a speech, because I cannot read a speech.”
Newsom described his SAT score as “literally a 960 SAT guy” during the same Atlanta event.
Newsom's spokesperson, Izzy Gardon, responded to Trump's comments by saying, “First MAGA mocked his dyslexia and now they’re calling him racist for talking about his low SAT scores. This is MAGA-manufactured outrage.”
Trump questioned Newsom's fitness for the presidency due to his dyslexia.
Trump referred to Newsom as a “low-IQ person” and used the nickname “Gavin Newscum.”
Trump stated, “I’m all for people with learning disabilities, but not for my president.”
Newsom has publicly acknowledged his dyslexia and described it as a “superpower.”
Newsom's memoir, “Young Man in a Hurry,” was released in February 2026.
Newsom mentioned he scored 960 on his SATs.
Trump criticized Newsom's comments made during a book tour event in Atlanta.
WHERE:
Oval Office, Washington, D.C.
Atlanta, Georgia (location of Newsom's book tour event)
WHEN:
Trump made comments on March 16th, 2026.
Newsom's memoir was released in February 2026.
Trump first referenced Newsom's dyslexia during remarks in Kentucky on March 10th, 2026.
WHY:
Trump's comments are part of a broader political rivalry with Newsom, who is considered a potential presidential candidate for 2028, and reflect ongoing tensions over various issues, including immigration and wildfire management.
Trump’s comments appear to be part of a broader political rivalry with Newsom, who is considered a potential presidential candidate for 2028.
HOW:
Trump made his remarks during a press interaction in the Oval Office and in various public appearances, including social media and interviews, repeating his criticisms multiple times in less than a week.
Trump made his comments during a press interaction in the Oval Office and in various public appearances, including social media and interviews.
(UPDATED March 17, 2026 03:46 UTC)
In a press interaction at the Oval Office on March 16, Trump criticized California Governor Gavin Newsom, saying, “Everything about him is dumb,” in response to comments Newsom made during a book tour in Atlanta where he joked about his SAT score being “literally a 960 SAT guy.” Newsom's spokesperson, Izzy Gardon, fired back, accusing Trump and his supporters of “MAGA-manufactured outrage” for mocking Newsom's dyslexia and low SAT scores. This exchange is part of the ongoing political rivalry between Trump and Newsom, who is seen as a potential presidential candidate for 2028, with tensions flaring over issues like immigration and wildfire management.
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(UPDATED March 17, 2026 01:29 UTC)
In a recent press interaction at the Oval Office, Trump questioned California Governor Gavin Newsom's fitness for the presidency, labeling him a “low-IQ person” and using the nickname “Gavin Newscum.” This criticism comes after Newsom publicly acknowledged his dyslexia, describing it as a “superpower” during a book tour event in Atlanta, where he also mentioned scoring 960 on his SATs. Trump's remarks, which included a statement about supporting people with learning disabilities, seem to be part of an ongoing political rivalry as Newsom is seen as a potential candidate for the 2028 presidential race.