Trump Mocks Newsom's Dyslexia: "I Don't Want the President to Have a Cognitive Deficiency"
Trump attacked Newsom's dyslexia at least four times in one week, calling it "mental problems" and a disqualifying "cognitive deficiency." Dyslexia affects 20% of the population and has no connection to intelligence. Newsom's two-word response: "Too late."
Over the course of a single week in March 2026, Trump attacked California Governor Gavin Newsom's dyslexia at least four times:
- At a Kentucky rally: Newsom "has admitted he has mental problems" and dyslexia is disqualifying
- To reporters in the Oval Office: "Gavin Newsom has admitted that he has learning disabilities, dyslexia. Honestly, I'm all for people with learning disabilities, but not for my president. Everything about him is dumb."
- At another event: "I don't want the president of the United States to have a cognitive deficiency."
Dyslexia affects roughly 20% of the population — including Albert Einstein, Leonardo da Vinci, and Steven Spielberg. The Yale Center for Dyslexia and Creativity confirms it has no connection to intelligence. Trump was mocking a reading difference shared by one in five Americans.
Newsom's response was two words: "Too late." — implying Trump himself has a cognitive deficiency. His press office added: "Grandpa's talking about himself again. We wish him well — it's never too late to seek mental treatment."
Anderson Cooper detailed his own dyslexia diagnosis and called Trump's comments "cruel." Disability advocates condemned the remarks. Jennifer Siebel Newsom released a video calling them "extremely ignorant and offensive."
The attacks came as Newsom leads 2028 Democratic primary polling. Trump was trying to disqualify a likely future opponent — by mocking a disability. From the man who also mocked a disabled reporter in 2015.