Former President Donald Trump is confronting intense new criticism this Wednesday for launching a personal attack against California Governor Gavin Newsom, a Democrat, that many observers have condemned as crossing ethical boundaries. During a speech delivered in Kentucky, Trump targeted Newsom's dyslexia, a common learning disability affecting reading abilities, in remarks widely perceived as disparaging and misinformed.
Trump's Controversial Remarks on Dyslexia
In his address, Trump referred to Newsom as "Newscum" and asserted that the governor had "admitted he has mental problems, that he’s not a smart person, that he is mental, a mental lack of ability, he’s unable to read a speech, he can’t read, and all of the other things he said, he said has a lot of mental problems." Trump added, "There is nothing wrong with that, but I don’t want the president of the United States to have a cognitive deficiency." These comments have sparked outrage for stigmatizing dyslexia and equating it with cognitive impairment.
Newsom's Swift Retort and Escalating Feud
Governor Newsom quickly responded on social media, posting, "I don't want the president of the United States to have a cognitive deficiency. Too late." In a follow-up message from his press office account, Newsom remarked, "Grandpa’s talking about himself again. We wish him well — it’s never too late to seek mental treatment." This exchange appears to have further provoked Trump, who continued his assaults on Truth Social, labeling Newsom a "cognitive mess" due to his dyslexia.
Trump elaborated in a post, stating, "While we all want to be politically correct, having a mental disorder is not a positive campaign event. Also, this was a politically suicidal act. The only thing he didn’t say is he is losing his look, but nobody wants to say that about one’s self. He is no longer a viable Presidential Candidate!" Newsom, who is considering a presidential run in 2028, has been transparent about his dyslexia, discussing how it challenges his reading and educational experiences.
Expert Clarification on Dyslexia
Contrary to Trump's characterization, dyslexia is not a "mental disorder" or "cognitive deficiency." The Yale Center for Dyslexia & Creativity notes that up to 20% of Americans exhibit some form of dyslexia, a neurobiological condition that primarily affects reading skills without impacting intelligence. Medical and educational experts emphasize that dyslexia involves difficulties with accurate word recognition and decoding, often manageable with appropriate support and strategies.
Growing Scrutiny of Trump's Cognitive Health
Meanwhile, Trump himself faces renewed questions about his cognitive abilities and overall health, particularly since his return to the White House last year. Illinois Governor JB Pritzker, a Democrat, told the Chicago Tribune in October that Trump is "a man who’s suffering dementia." Similarly, Senator Ruben Gallego, a Democrat from Arizona, asserted around the same time that Trump "clearly has some kind of dementia."
Concerns are not limited to political opponents. At least two former members of Trump's first administration have voiced apprehensions about a perceived decline in his mental sharpness earlier this year. Ty Cobb, who served as a White House attorney, commented to MSNBC's Ari Melber that Trump's cognitive decline is "palpable." Former White House press secretary Stephanie Grisham wrote on social media in January that her former boss was "mentally slipping."
Public and Critic Reactions
Many critics have denounced Trump's equating of dyslexia with cognitive problems, calling it ableist and offensive. Social media responses highlighted the hypocrisy and projection in Trump's statements. One user noted, "Blatant and disgusting ableism on the level of Trump mocking Serge Kovaleski, the New York Times reporter, and him calling Tim Walz the r-word." Another commented, "Populist king now claims that if you have dyslexia you are not smart and shouldn’t be President."
Additional reactions included comparisons to Trump's own literacy challenges, with one post stating, "Trump is accusing someone else of illiteracy?" and another observing, "There’s a wide gap between being dyslexic (not a 'mental' problem) and being functionally illiterate because you’re such an ass you can’t be bothered to read anything." The sentiment of projection was echoed in posts like, "The projection is so clear I can see the name 'Trump' a million times through the redactions in the Epstein files."
This incident underscores ongoing debates about disability stigma, political discourse, and cognitive health assessments in leadership, with implications for the 2028 presidential election cycle.
