Trump Attacks Newsom Over Dyslexia, Calls Him 'Low-IQ'

The former president has repeatedly suggested the California governor can't be president due to his learning disability.

Mar. 16, 2026 at 11:21pm

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President Donald Trump has repeatedly taken aim at Democratic rival and possible 2028 presidential candidate Gavin Newsom, fixating on saying the California governor cannot be president due to his dyslexia. Trump has called Newsom a 'low-IQ person' and said he has 'mental problems' because of his learning disability, which Newsom has been open about struggling with.

Why it matters

Trump's comments mark a new low in the already acrimonious relationship between the two political rivals. Newsom has described his dyslexia as a 'superpower' that has helped him in politics, but Trump is suggesting it disqualifies him from the presidency.

The details

Trump has made these comments about Newsom's dyslexia at least four times in the past week, including in the Oval Office, at a rally in Kentucky, on social media, and in a radio interview. Newsom has fired back, calling Trump a 'brain-dead moron' and encouraging him to 'seek mental treatment.' The two have sparred over a range of issues in the past, including immigration and wildfires.

  • On March 13, Trump first referenced Newsom's dyslexia during remarks in Kentucky.
  • On March 14, Newsom responded to Trump's comments on X, formerly known as Twitter.
  • On March 16, Trump made additional comments about Newsom's dyslexia in the Oval Office.

The players

Donald Trump

The former president of the United States who has repeatedly attacked California Governor Gavin Newsom over his dyslexia.

Gavin Newsom

The current governor of California who has been open about his struggle with dyslexia, which he has described as a 'superpower' that has helped him in politics.

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What they’re saying

“We have 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 the president should not have learning disabilities, okay, and I know it's highly controversial to say such a horrible thing.”

— Donald Trump (CNN)

“I spoke about my dyslexia. I know that's hard for a brain-dead moron who bombs children and protects pedophiles to understand.”

— Gavin Newsom, Governor of California (X (formerly Twitter)

What’s next

It remains to be seen how Newsom will continue to respond to Trump's attacks on his dyslexia, and whether the former president will continue to make this a focus of his criticism.

The takeaway

Trump's repeated attacks on Newsom's dyslexia highlight the former president's willingness to stoop to personal insults and stigmatize learning disabilities, even against a potential political rival. This exchange underscores the increasingly bitter and personal nature of the relationship between the two prominent politicians.