President Donald Trump recently directed scathing remarks towards California Governor Gavin Newsom, further igniting a long-standing rivalry between the two political figures. Trump’s comments, made during a press conference on 16 March, were in response to Newsom’s admission of having dyslexia and a low SAT score, which the governor shared while promoting his memoir, “Young Man in a Hurry.”
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(jpeg)/donald-trump-gavin-newsom-031726-8fe166559aa74552b094634ac0d24926.jpg)
At the Oval Office event, where Trump was signing an executive order aimed at tackling fraud within the federal government, he took the opportunity to mock Newsom’s intellectual capabilities. “With a low IQ person, you know, because Gavin ‘Newscum’ has admitted that he has learning disabilities,” Trump stated. He added that he does not believe someone with learning disabilities should hold the office of the President.
Newsom, aged 58, has been positioned as a strong contender for the Democratic presidential nomination in the upcoming 2028 election, where he may face off against Trump’s potential Republican successors, namely JD Vance or Marco Rubio. In both private and public settings, Trump has maintained a critical stance towards Newsom’s leadership in California.
Trump’s comments referencing Newsom’s learning disabilities sparked further outrage, particularly due to the context. The governor’s original remarks were made during a meeting with Atlanta’s Mayor Andre Dickens and a predominantly Black audience, where he humbly described his background as a “960 SAT guy.” Trump’s ridicule of this comment was perceived by some as insensitive and unreasonably divisive.
In response to this derogatory commentary, Newsom posted a message on social media directed at children with learning disabilities: “Don’t let anyone — not even the President of the United States — bully you. Dyslexia isn’t a weakness. It’s your strength.” His statement aimed to uplift and empower those affected by similar challenges.
Adding to the discourse, Jennifer Siebel Newsom, the governor’s wife and a documentarian, responded forcefully to Trump’s taunts. She expressed her disapproval through a video shared on Instagram, where she described his comments as “ignorant and offensive.” Siebel Newsom emphasised that dyslexia and other learning differences are not indicative of one’s ability to lead or achieve greatness.
She noted that many successful individuals, including past U.S. presidents, have grappled with dyslexia, indicating that these challenges often contribute to resilience. Furthermore, she criticised Trump’s ongoing rhetoric, claiming it erodes public trust in institutions and denigrates vulnerable communities.
Siebel Newsom brought attention to her personal connection with the issue, mentioning how she has witnessed the struggle of children with learning differences, including her own. “Learning differences don’t make you less intelligent; they don’t make you less capable. In fact, they make you special,” she stated passionately.
In what appeared to be a calculated response to Trump, she broadened the critique, invoking a list of what she views as truly disqualifying traits in a leader. This included references to past controversies involving Trump, such as his criminal convictions, accusations of sexual misconduct, and historical associations with extremist groups.
This exchange between the Newsoms and Trump highlights not only a political rivalry but also a deeper discussion about the challenges faced by individuals with learning disabilities. The rhetorical battles have seen both sides accuse each other of insensitivity and ignorance, leaving voters to consider the implications for leadership and representation in their political landscape.
As the political tension continues to unfold, it’s evident that the rivalry is far from over. Governor Newsom’s team has been known to humourously poke fun at Trump’s verbal missteps on social media, which has only served to fuel the fire of their ongoing feud. With the presidential race approaching, this antagonism is likely to persist as both sides prepare for what could be a fiery electoral contest in the years to come.