On March 16, 2026, President Trump publicly attacked California Governor Gavin Newsom, specifically targeting his dyslexia and calling him a "low IQ" individual who is unfit for the presidency.
Speaking at the White House, President Trump stated bluntly that he does not support someone with a "learning disability" holding the highest office in the United States. He also used the derogatory nickname "Newscum" when referring to Newsom, claiming "everything about him is stupid," similar to when Governor Gavin Newsom faced criticism for self-deprecating remarks regarding his SAT scores.
Going further, President Trump reiterated past criticisms, alleging that Newsom "can’t even read a speech" and has "mental issues." These statements have significantly intensified the confrontation between the two sides, especially following the incident where President Trump claimed Newsom withdrew from the race, which caused a public stir.
Governor Gavin Newsom responded immediately on social media platform X, mocking President Trump for mistakenly calling him the "President of the United States," adding the message: “No, thank you — we believe in fair elections.”
Newsom previously went public about his dyslexia in his memoir "Young Man in a Hurry," describing his difficult academic years. The sensitivity surrounding this issue is so high that a Gavin Newsom communications aide once cursed at a reporter when questioned about medical diagnoses. However, Newsom maintains that his condition helped him develop better memory and situational awareness in communication.
The war of words shows that the level of personal animosity in U.S. politics continues to escalate, with language becoming increasingly direct and abandoning previous diplomatic decorum.
