The ongoing tension between the White House and Sacramento took a personal turn this week. During a scheduled executive order signing in the Oval Office on Monday, March 16, Donald Trump shifted focus from federal fraud prevention to mock Governor Gavin Newsom’s recent public comments regarding his educational background and dyslexia.
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The confrontation follows Newsom’s transparent discussion about his upbringing while promoting his new book, “Young Man in a Hurry.” During a recent stop in Atlanta, the Governor spoke candidly to a crowd about his modest test scores and his struggle with reading. “I’m not trying to impress you. 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,” Newsom said.
Trump, 79, seized on these details to question whether the 58-year-old Governor is qualified for a potential 2028 presidential bid. While speaking with reporters, Trump took a direct shot at Newsom’s cognitive abilities.
“With a low IQ person, you know, because Gavin ‘Newscum’ has admitted that he is a– that he has learning disabilities. 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, okay?”
Trump went on to reiterate his stance, acknowledging that his critique would likely cause a stir.
“I know it’s highly controversial to say such a horrible thing. The president of the United States. Gavin ‘Newscum’ admitted that he has learning disabilities, dyslexia, uh, everything about him is dumb,” he stated.
Newsom’s original comments were intended to highlight how he has managed a successful political career despite his learning differences. He told the audience in Atlanta that his dyslexia prevents him from using traditional scripts during public appearances. “And, you know, and I’m not trying to offend anyone, you know, trying to act all there if you got 940. But literally a 960 SAT guy,” he continued. “I cannot– You’ve never seen me read a speech because I cannot read a speech.”
As Newsom is widely viewed as a frontrunner for the 2028 Democratic nomination, these insults from the Oval Office suggest that the next presidential cycle is already becoming highly combative.
The exchange has already prompted responses from the Governor’s camp, signaling that the battle between these two political figures is far from over.
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