Overview
- During Oval Office remarks Monday, Trump called Gavin Newsom "low IQ," used the nickname "Gavin Newscum," and said dyslexia should disqualify someone from the presidency.
- The remarks continued a series of similar attacks over the past week, including at a Kentucky rally and in a Fox News interview where he said presidents "can't have a learning disability."
- Newsom responded on X with a message to children that dyslexia is a strength and shared a clip highlighting Trump's slip referring to him as "president of the United States."
- The National Center for Learning Disabilities condemned the comments as "factually and morally incorrect," stating that learning disabilities do not reflect intelligence, judgment, or ability to lead.
- Reports cited research showing dyslexia and IQ are independent, and groups such as the International Dyslexia Association describe dyslexia as a difference affecting reading and spelling rather than overall intellect.