Trump Says Newsom ‘Not Qualified’ To Be President Over Claimed Disability

President Donald J. Trump sparked another round of backlash from Democrats and left-wing commentators this week after making blunt remarks about California Governor Gavin Newsom during an Oval Office exchange with reporters—comments that quickly reignited scrutiny not only of Newsom himself, but of his broader public image and political ambitions.

Speaking candidly, Trump referenced Newsom’s previously acknowledged struggle with dyslexia, questioning whether such a condition is compatible with the demands of the presidency.

“Gavin ‘Newscum’ has admitted that he is a — that he has learning disabilities,” Trump said. “Honestly, I’m all for people with learning disabilities, but not for my president. I don’t want — I think a president should not have learning disabilities, OK?”

“And I know it’s highly controversial to say such a horrible thing. The president of the United States — Gavin Newscum admitted that he has learning disabilities, dyslexia,” Trump continued. “Everything about him is dumb.”

Newsom responded on X, attempting to turn the moment into a broader message about resilience.

“To every kid with a learning disability: don’t let anyone — not even the President of the United States — bully you. Dyslexia isn’t a weakness. It’s your strength.”

However, the exchange has also revived criticism of Newsom’s own past rhetoric—particularly remarks he made during a recent book tour stop that drew bipartisan backlash. Addressing a group of black Americans, Newsom said, “I’m a 960 SAT guy,” that he “couldn’t read,” and added, “I’m just like you.”

Those comments were widely condemned as tone-deaf and racially insensitive, with critics arguing that the governor appeared to conflate his personal academic struggles with the experiences of an entire demographic group in a way that came across as patronizing.

Meanwhile, scrutiny has intensified around Newsom’s household, particularly involving his wife, Jennifer Siebel Newsom, and her nonprofit operations.

According to IRS filings reviewed by the Daily Mail, Siebel Newsom has directed a notable portion of her nonprofit’s revenue toward herself and her private company, Girls Club LLC. Over the past decade, those payments have totaled more than $3.7 million, with some years seeing nearly one-third of the organization’s revenue allocated to her compensation and related fees.

Siebel Newsom, who leads The Representation Project—a nonprofit focused on combating so-called “intersectional gender stereotypes” and “harmful gender norms”—has reportedly received both a salary and additional payments through her company. Recent filings show she earned $150,000 in salary, alongside another $150,000 paid to Girls Club LLC, categorized as a “writer/director/producer fee.”

The filings further indicate that her company retains ownership of the documentary Miss Representation, which has been licensed to the nonprofit for distribution and public use for several years—raising additional questions about the financial relationship between the organization and its founder.

Watchdog groups have flagged the compensation structure as unusually high for a nonprofit of its size, particularly given that the organization typically brings in between $1 million and $1.7 million annually.

“As Governor Newsom continues his national rebrand tour, the fact that he and his wife put one third of their ‘charity’ revenues into their own pockets will undoubtedly raise red flags in the eyes of middle-class Americans,” Caitlin Sutherland, executive director of Americans for Public Trust, told the Daily Mail.

Data cited in the report shows that among roughly 23,000 nonprofits with similar revenue levels, fewer than 5% compensate their executives at comparable levels—especially when factoring in both salary and related company payments.

Additional filings reveal other high-level salaries within the organization, including $150,000 for Executive Director Caroline Heldman and $131,942 for CFO Debra Garber. Total compensation expenses for the most recent reporting period approached $1 million, with over $150,000 allocated specifically to fundraising efforts.

As Newsom continues to position himself on the national stage, critics argue that both his public messaging and financial associations are likely to face increasing scrutiny—particularly from voters concerned about transparency, accountability, and elite political privilege.