Former President Donald Trump’s recent jab at Gov. Gavin Newsom — suggesting he is unfit for higher office because of a “learning disability” — says more about Trump than it does about Newsom.
The comment leans into a familiar kind of political attack, but it also echoes a long-standing contradiction. Newsom has been open for years about living with dyslexia, a condition that can make reading and writing more challenging but does not limit intelligence or the ability to lead. By most measures, he has managed it effectively throughout his career.
Dyslexia forces people to approach learning differently, not less successfully. Newsom has described how he prepares extensively for speeches, often reviewing material multiple times and relying on notes or memorization to stay on track. It’s something he’s dealt with since his teenage years.
Trump, who has not been diagnosed with dyslexia, framed the issue as disqualifying. In remarks to reporters, he said he supports people with learning disabilities “but not for my president,” adding criticism of Newsom’s abilities. Similar comments followed in radio interviews and on social media, where Trump argued that a president should not have what he called a “cognitive deficiency.”
The criticism drew attention not only for its tone but for its premise. Learning disabilities have been present among prominent figures throughout history, including U.S. presidents. Historians have noted that individuals such as George Washington and Thomas Jefferson struggled with spelling and written communication, while others like John F. Kennedy and Dwight Eisenhower are also believed to have had learning challenges.
Beyond politics, well-known figures such as Albert Einstein, Thomas Edison, and Apple co-founder Steve Jobs have also been associated with dyslexia. Researchers estimate the condition affects roughly one in five Americans to some degree.
Newsom has spoken candidly about how it shaped his development. In his autobiography, Young Man in a Hurry, he describes school as inconsistent and the SAT as particularly difficult. Early in his career, he said public speaking carried the same anxiety he once felt reading aloud in class. Over time, he adapted by memorizing key points and focusing on connecting with audiences.
That ability, he has argued, became a strength — allowing him to read a room and adjust his message in real time. It’s a skill that carried him through his time as San Francisco mayor and later as California governor.
During a recent State of the State address, Newsom acknowledged his struggles directly, noting that reading prepared text can still be difficult and requires extra effort.
None of that settles the broader political question of whether he should one day be president. Voters will ultimately weigh his policies, leadership style, and record in office.
But reducing that debate to a learning disability misses the mark — and, critics argue, crosses a line that has little to do with governing.
