Donald Trump just flipped the script on Gavin Newsom in the most backhanded way possible. During a recent verbal tirade, Trump started referring to the California Governor as the "President of the United States." If you think he’s suddenly developed a respect for his West Coast rival, think again. It’s a calculated, biting piece of sarcasm aimed directly at Newsom’s perceived ego and his very public struggle with dyslexia.
The timing isn't accidental. Newsom has been on a high-profile media tour lately, promoting his memoir Young Man in a Hurry. In that book and subsequent interviews, Newsom has been remarkably candid about his "learning disability," noting that he has a 960 SAT score and literally cannot read a speech from a teleprompter. While some see this as a vulnerable "superpower," Trump sees it as blood in the water.
The sarcasm behind the promotion
Trump’s move to call Newsom "President" is a double-edged sword. On one hand, he’s mocking Newsom’s obvious ambitions for 2028. On the other, he’s using the title to highlight what he calls a "cognitive deficiency." Trump told reporters in the Oval Office recently that while he’s "all for people with learning disabilities," he doesn't want them in the White House.
It’s a classic Trump play. He takes a opponent’s self-admitted weakness and hammers it until it becomes the only thing people are talking about. By calling him "President," he’s basically saying, "Look at this guy who thinks he can run the country but can’t even read a script." It’s mean, it’s effective, and it has the Newsom camp scrambling to reframe the narrative.
Dyslexia as a political weapon
We’ve reached a weird point in American politics where a SAT score from the 1980s is a headline news item. Newsom’s team argues that his dyslexia makes him a harder worker—someone who has to memorize every detail because they can’t rely on a script. They call it "MAGA-manufactured outrage."
Trump, however, isn't letting up. He’s linked Newsom’s dyslexia to his "low-IQ" nickname for the governor ("Gavin Newscum"). He’s even suggested that Newsom’s admission of academic struggle was the moment he "lost the Democrat nomination" for 2028. It’s a brutal line of attack that ignores the reality of how many successful leaders have navigated similar challenges.
Why this feud is getting personal
This isn't just about policy anymore. Sure, they argue about California’s wildfires, the state’s massive budget deficit, and Trump’s move to send National Guard troops into Los Angeles. But those are the standard political talking points. This new phase is deeply personal.
Newsom hasn't stayed quiet. He fired back on social media, calling Trump a "brain-dead moron" and suggesting the President needs mental treatment. When you have the Governor of the most populous state and the President of the United States trading insults about their respective brain functions, you know the 2026 midterms are going to be a bloodbath.
The Atlanta incident
A lot of this current heat stems from an event Newsom did in Atlanta with Mayor Andre Dickens. Newsom tried to act humble, telling the crowd "I'm like you" while citing his 960 SAT score. Conservative critics, including Senator Tim Scott, immediately jumped on this, calling it the "bigotry of low expectations" and accusing Newsom of patronizing a Black audience.
Trump took those criticisms and ran with them. He called the interview the "worst ever seen of any human being." By framing Newsom as both "dumb" and "out of touch," Trump is trying to disqualify him before the 2028 primary even begins.
What this means for 2026 and beyond
Newsom is in his final year as governor, and he’s clearly looking for his next act. He’s positioned himself as the leader of the "resistance," suing the Trump administration over everything from climate pacts to voter ID laws. But he’s also dealing with a $42 billion budget gap back home in Sacramento.
Trump knows that if he can tank Newsom’s credibility now, he removes the biggest threat to Republican dominance in the next few years. Every time he calls Newsom "President" with a smirk, he’s reminding his base that he’s already picked his next target.
Keep an eye on the 2026 midterm results. Newsom has said that a Democratic win in the House could "de facto end" Trump's presidency. If the Democrats fail to take back control, Newsom’s "Presidential" ambitions might stay exactly where Trump wants them—as a punchline in a campaign speech.
If you're following this, watch Newsom's next few moves in the "red states." He’s been traveling to places like Kentucky and Georgia to test his message. If he leans harder into his personal story, he's betting that voters value "vulnerability." If he pivots back to policy, he's trying to escape the "low-IQ" label Trump is working so hard to stick on him.
Watch the upcoming California budget revision. If Newsom can’t fix the state’s finances, Trump won't even need to talk about SAT scores to finish him off.
